

IMPARTIAL A^ CORRECT 

:iSTORj) OT THE WAR 

BETWEEN ^ .(_ 

THE UNITED STJ^TES^OF AMERICA^ 

r o y// — /'^ 

GREAT BRI^IN; 

Declared by a Law of Congress, June 18, 1812, and 

concluded h/j a ratification and exchange of a Trea- 

ty of Peace ^ at the City of Washington^ Feb* 

17, 1815. 

COMPRISING A TARTICULAU DETAIL 
OF THE 

NAVAL AND MILITARY OPERATIONS 

AND 

A Faithful Record of the Events produced dur- 
ing: the Contest. 

INCLUDING 
THE FOLLOWING IMPOflTANT DOCUMENTS. 

1. The President's Messaj^e to Congress of 1st June, 1812. 

2. The Report of the Committee of Foreign Relations of 3d 

June, 1812. 
Z. The Act declaring War between the United States and Great 
Britain. 

4. The Treaty of Peace. 

5. Niles' List of Prizes, captured during the War. 

6. The Treaty of Peace of 1785. 

CAREFULLY COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. 



NeW'York:. printed by John Loxio, 1815. 

BELFAST : 
BEFRINTED BY JOSEPH SMYTH. 

1816. 






/ 

/7 



District of Neti'-Yorlcy ss, 

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the sixteenth day of 
May, in the thirty^ninth year of the Independence of the 
J g. United States of America, John Low, of the said 
district, hath deposited in this office the title of a Boek, 
the right whereor he claims as Proprietor, in the words follow- 
ing, to wit : 

" An Impartial and Correct History of the War between the 
United States of America, and Great Britain, declared by a law 
of Congress, June 18, 1812, and concluded by a ratification 
and exchange of a Treaty of Peace, at the city of Washington, 
February 17, 1815. Comprising a particular detail of the 
Naval and Military operations, and a faithfuL record of the 
events produced during the contest; including, 1. The Presi- 
dent's Message to Congress of 1st June, 1812. 2. The report 
of the Committee of Foreign Relations of 5d June, 1812. 3. 
The Act declaring War between the United States and Great 
Britain. 4. The Treaty of Peace. 5. Niles' List of Prizes, 
captured during the War. 6. The Treaty of Peace of 1783. 
Carefully compiled from Official Documents." 

In conformity to the Act'of the Congress of the United States, 
entitled " An act for the encouragement of Learning, by se- 
curing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors 
and proprietors of such copies, during the time cherein men- 
tioned." And also to an Act, entitled " An act, supplementary 
to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of Learning, 
by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the au- 
thors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein 
mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of 
designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints." 

THERON RUDD, 
Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. 






PREFACE. 



/J 



No era, in the moral world, has excited the * 
public curiosity, or affected the general interest 
of mankind, more than the discovery of a west- 
ern continent in the year 1492. Attracted as the 
public mind was by that event, yet its resulting 
importance was not then fully anticipated by the 
most extravagant hopes or the most acute prog- 
nostics. To convert the natural riches of the 
new world to the advantage of the old, was the 
only object which the kings of Europe wished to 
accomplish, or intended to essay. Neither king 
nor subject expected that the western w^orld 
would become the seat of empires, independent: 
of European rulers; much less did they expect 
that the future monarchs of the east would meet 
in the new w^orld, rivals capable of opposing and 
defeating attempts at continuing in political sub- 
jection, the descendants of emigrants, led to 
the new continent by cupidity, driven to it by 
persecution, or banished as an expiation of their 
crimes. 

It was not until lonoj after the first settlement 
of America by Europeans, that it was sagacious. 
iy observed, that " the new world seemed destined 
to give laws to the old." The observation drew 
forth but ihe derision or contempt of the hearers 
and readers. A prophecy so improbable and 
which could not, it was supposed, " be accomplish- 



iv PREFACE. 

ed, if at all, in a hundred centuries, was deemed 
too puerile to be credited, and too distant to be 
dreaded. 

The revolutionary war gave the first substan- 
tial proof that materials for all the purposes of 
self-government existed in America. In propor- 
tion as the genius and resources of the inhabitants 
were developed, in the same degree did they find 
advocates in the different parts of the world, who 
either saw with pleasure the successful prospect 
which opened itself to the people of the United 
States, (late British colonies,) secretly encour- 
aged and reheved them, or openly supported and 
assisted them. The happy termination of this 
contest led to the behef, that the theories of po- 
litical prophets were not only probable, but their 
consummation less distant than had been hither- 
to supposed. • 

The United States having, by the treaty of 
peace of 1783, become a nation by the consent of 
all other nations, had as if to begin the world, 
without any other capital than the virtue of the 
citizens, and without security against foreign 
aggression, except what could be drawn from 
their own courage and patriotism. 

As yet their population was little more than 
three millions of inhabitants; the want of a well 
consohdated confederation rendered the govern- 
ment v/eak ; and the many incidents and difficul- 
ties attending the attempt to reconcile various in- 
terests with a general principle, increased this 
difficulty. The speculations as to the future des- 



PREFACE. y 

tinies of the people were various. England had 
concluded peace ^jro forma^ but she continued hos- 
tile in fact. Great Britain was but a small is- 
land, yet her sovereign was a king over extensive 
regions, and many islands in various parts of the 
globe: the example of several of her colonies re- 
jecting her authority and uniting in support o^ 
each otherj was dangerous to the parent countiy ; 
it was found impossible to subdue them by force* 
it was determined to do so by intrigue, corrup- 
tion and robbery. 

The colonies remedied one great inconvenience 
by forming a general constitivtion in 1789, which 
stands an unrivalled instance of patriotism, wis- 
dom, and justice; a rapid growth of population 
and extension of commerce, a cultivation of liter- 
ature, arts and sciences were fast advancing to a 
point that would outrival England in every respect. 

As this state of things advanced in America, 
England proceeded to measures of increased vi- 
olence and injustice. Seeking for pretexts, in 
principles novel, unknown to other nations, and 
even contr.ivening her own established practice, 
she left to America the alternative of submission 
to her will or resistance by war ; the latter was 
resorted to. 

The history of the revolutionary war is alrea- - 

dy before the public. It is a valuable record of 

what men determined to be free can do. This 

war brought into a phalanx that mass of mihtary 

patriotism, which, under the immortal Warren, 

commeaced its cai'eer of glory at Bunker-hill ', 

A 2 



vi PREFACE. 

and terminated it, under the immortal Washing- 
ton, at York Town. 

The task now undertaken must be interesting 
to every citizen of the United States. A record 
of the second struggle against the same enemy, 
who during seven years of revolutionary contest, 
carried fire and sword, the bayonet, the halter, 
and the tomahawk, throughout the United States, 
will surely be an( acceptable treat. 

The military talents which sprang as if into a 
miraculous existence during the late war; the 
patriotic courage which displayed itself on every 
occasion ; their successful triumphs in almost every 
battle, are proud proofs, that where genius is free 
to act, and that influenced by an amor patrice, 
no danf^ers are too difficult to overcome, no diffi- 
culties too great to be ,ubdued. 

The apparent milita v and naval power of Eng- 
land was, to that of .imerica, at the commence- 
ment of the late war, as that of the lion to the 
lamb; but the incensed eagle stretched forward 
his beak, and with it tore th^ laurel from the 
Briton's brow; and, flying over th waters, he 
wrested with his talons the trident from the " mis- 
tress of the deep." 

In giving details of these events, these imper- 
ishable monuments of American glory,^ a strict 
reo-ard has been had to truth, uninfluenced by 
any unworthy consideration ; and it is hoped that 
this small volume will be found to contain as co- 
pious a view of history as could reasonably be ex- 
pected, within so circumscribed a compass. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, &c. 



America seems to have been destined, by Pro- 
vidence, as tiie soil which should give birth, 
strength, and maturity, to rational liberty : in 
this respect, its discovery must be considered of 
prime benefit to' mankind. Columbus, a lover 
of justice, w^ouid have fixed the residence of lib- 
erty in South America, but this extraordinary 
adventurer became the object of persecuting en- 
vy, he was sacrificed at tlie sh^^ile of ambition 
and tyranny ; and the southeri-1 peninsula, the 
only part of the western continent which Co- 
lumbus had visited, was given 'up to cupidity, 
plunder, and the most horrific ill-treatment and 
massacre of its hospitable inhabitants. • The 
fictitious riches, the gold, which it produced, 
invited an early and continued migration from 
the old to the new continent, insomuch, that the 
latter has already lost, in a great degree, its o- 
riginal uncultivated aspect; and, w^ere the genius 
of its new inhabitants not restrained by the policy 
of its rulers, would, ere now, have advanced far 
towards all perfection, to winch man can aspire. 
For more tlian three hundred years has South 
America bowed to the will of despots, and man 
has presented but the disgusting contrast of ty- 
rants and slaves. A patriotic flame has lately 
diffused a gleam of light through the darkened at- 
mosphere which overspread the political region 



8 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

of the south; man begins there to assume the 
character for which God and nature had destin- 
ed him ; and philanthropy may hope, that the 
present generation will not pass away, until liber- 
ty will smile over every part of America, and all 
its inhabitants be happy. 

The inordinate ambition of hereditary gov- 
ernments, and their just jealousies of each oth- 
er, have given an unbounded spring to the de- 
sire of extended dominion and foreign conquests. 
This spirit, however injurious, has-, in some re- 
spects, contributed tov.ards the increased know- 
ledge of geography? the diffusion of general in- 
formation, and the facilitating of a social inter- 
course between the inhabitants of distant re- 
gions. 

England, famed for the adventurous spirit of 
its inhabitants, and the unequalled ambition of 
its sovereigns, could not remain an indifferent 
spectator of a European rival taking possession 
of a new world. Expeditions were soon formed 
for the more perfect discovery of the new con- 
tinent. John Cabot, having obtained a com- 
mission from HenrvVII. of Endand, to discover 
imknown lands, and annex them to the crown, 
discovered the eastern coast of North America. Sir 
Francis Drake subsequently sailed along it ; and 
England, by right of prior discovery, claimed its 
sovereignty. Gold mines are generally confined 
to tropical climates ; the soil ot North America, 
contiguous to the sea, appeared to be light, sandy, 
or unfit for profitable cultivation ; the climate 
was variable and unhealthy ; the aborigines v»^ere 
more savage and inhospitc^ble than those of the 
south. No adequate inducement presented itself 
to new settlers ; and, had the inhabitants of Eng- 
land no necessity for quitting their native country, 
they never would discover a wish to transfer 
their residence to the then inhospitable cli- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 9 

mate x)f North America. , A stimulus was not long 
wanting. 

The granting of immense tracts of uncultiva- 
ted wilds to individuals or companies, was not 
likely to induce any rapid settlement. Individ- 
uals might, for the purpose of enhancing the 
value of their personal fortunes, influence emi- 
grants to settle on their new estates ; and these 
settlers, having changed their residence, might 
be compelled to abide by a choice from which 
it would be difficult or impossible to recede. 
But their reports and their flite would reach 
their friends ; emigration would cease, or be 
too slow for any efficient purpose : decrease of 
population, by insalubrity of climate and the in- 
roads of Indians, would be little, if at all, over- 
balanced by births, and the accession of trans- 
ported felons. 

Man, in all stages, is a lover of liberty, rea- 
son dictates that he has rights ; but this reason ob- 
scured by artificial ignorance, and enervated by 
habitual bondage, becomes incapable of action, 
and insensible to the true extent of his misery. 
The slave feels pain, without knowing whence it 
originates, or how it should be remedied. This 
observation is strictly applicable only to corpo- 
real slavery. The slavery exercised over the 
conscience, is that in support of which no so- 
phistry can prevail; and to which no term, no 
length of endurance, can reconcile the sufferer. 
No prescription can justify the practice of en- 
slavement in any case; and no slave, however ab- 
ject) will admit it in cases affecting his conscience. 
God has instilled into the heart of man certain re- 
ligious duties, and whenever the fulfilment of 
these is forbidden by human edicts, the injured 
person fears not to revolt or seek an asylum a- 
gainst persecution. With God on his side, he 



10 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

fears no other power, and can be happy in a wil- 
derness or in a cave. 

It is not now necessary to enter into a detailed 
view of the persecutions against Christians in 
Europe. Who that has not heard of them ? It 
is sufficient to observe tliat no difficulties, real 
or imaginary, could deter the persecuted -Chris- 
tians from seeking an asylum where, free from 
interruption, they might adore their God as 
conscience dictated. America offered that asy- 
lum; and to this circumstance it is due, that 
the wilderness is so fiist ffivinix way to cultiva- 
tion, tile internal resources ot the country have 
been explored and rendered operative, the seem- 
ingly insurmountable obstacles of the new coun- 
try have disappeared, and a state of comfort 
equal to that of any part of Europe has been pro- 
duced. 

This comfort was wickedly marred by the 
British government, while it ruled the North 
American colonies. A desire to proceed to the 
chief object of this work, and its limits preclu- 
ding any particular recital of these evils, leaves 
only room to remark, that they were such as to 
create much unhappiness in the colonies, to pro- 
duce complaints, remonstrances, and petitions 
to the mother country; and, finally, were car- 
ried to such excess as to be no longer suffer- 
able. 

On the ever to be remembered 4th July, 1776, 
the people of these colonies, by their re})resen- 
tatives in congress assembled, having published 
a moderate, but firm, a grievous, but true state- 
ment of the multiplied injuries inflicted on them 
by the British king and government, declared 
that the united colonies " are, and of right ought 
to be, froe and independent states." These unit- 
ed colonies consisted of the states of New-Hamp- 
shire, Massachussets, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 1 1 

New- York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, North- Carolina, South-Ca- 
rolina, and Georgia ; leaving England in posses- 
sion of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, 
New-Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. 

The contest which succeeded was looked on 
by the world with astonishment ; its novelty and 
its importance excited general interest. A few 
people, without an army, without arms, without 
discipline, or munitions of war, without money, 
without allies, opposing their unorganized force 
against a nation rich and powerful, with numerous 
ships, armies, and navies, having discipline, mo- 
ney, credit, and all the means of warfare, and 
being in possession of the colonies, the inhabi- 
tants of which declared themselves absolved from 
all allegiance to the crown of Great Britain, was 
a crisis of uncommon moment. The contest was 
long and severe; a blood-thirsty vengeance on 
one side led tlie British to the most' shameful 
excesses; a determination to live free or die, 
guided the people of America, under the direc- 
tion of the great Washington, and the other 
sages and patriots in the field and the cabinet, to 
a completion of all they wanted, all they wished. 
Tyranny looked do\wn, hberty rejoiced, on the 
completion of the happy triumph. 

The wound inflicted on the pride and interest 
of England, by this disruption of her empire, 
was truly great, but still greater than was then 
contemplated. Under the dominion of England, 
the increase of population would be slow, the 
increase of commerce and manufactures still 
slower : the country would be a warehouse for 
British manufactures, the inhabitants a nursery 
for British armies and navies. It was necessa- 
ry that a people should be free; that genius 
should be unchecked, industry unrestrained, in 
order to j)rove, how far free men were superior 



12 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

r 

to whatever theory could conceive of them. 
The experiment has been successfully tried in 
the United States. 

The country of a monarch would not in a 
century recover from injury such as had been suf- 
fered by the United States. But the people of 
America felt all their toils and losses compensated 
by the acquisition of freedom ; they stood erect, 
and, as if by magic, appeared in all the might of 
a nation. In less than thirty j^ears their country 
shook off the appearance of a howling wilderness, 
their population increased three fold, their manu- 
factures increased so as to supply nearly all their 
w^ants, and every sea witnessed their immensely 
increased external trade ; in short they became the 
rivals of England, 

A long course of wars, and the revolutionary 
war of America, more than any other, increased 
the national debt of Great Britain to a great and 
burthensome amount. To meet this exigency, as 
well as to gratify the national wish, and to pro- 
vide for the further and growing charges in sup- 
port of foreign colonies, an increased trade was 
necessary. U'he industry of Englishmen showed 
itself in the successful and unparalleled extension 
of her manufactures, and the policy of her rulers 
aimed at an undivided foreign commerce, in sup- 
port of the home system. 

The naval successes of Britain, during the 
French war, had nearly accomplished her vast de- 
sign. The ships of Holland, France, Portugal, 
Spain, and Italy, had nearly disappeared from the 
ocean ; those of Russia^ and the other naval pow- 
ers of the north of Europe, had been gained 
over to the British interest, or destroyed by the 
superiority of her fleets. The United States, al- 
though in a state of infancy, was yet the only 
nation that had virtue or courage sufficient to 
move in a just course, uninfluenced by intrigue. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 13 

unci unintlmidnted by menace. Tcvtards this 
nation, Britain for years manifested the most un- 
generous, injurious, and cowardly conduct, a- 
mounting, in its effects, to war, while the United 
States, pursuing an honourable and pacinc course, 
w^ere debarred from making reprisals. This one 
sided war, had it been permitted to continue, 
v^ould have sunk tlie States in the esteem of fo- 
reign nations, dried up the sources of their grow- 
ing greatness, reduced them to a state oi con- 
temptible imbecility, and, not improbably, to a 
merited state of dependence; they might again 
become colonies — British colonies ! 

Hitherto the Americans looked but little to 
home manufactures; the cap/ital of the merchant 
was employed on the ocean, and the people of 
the interior found sufficient employment in till- 
ing the soil. There was a great and profitable 
demand ibr every kind of produce, and the citi- 
zens were in the habit of receiving manufactures 
of all kinds from foreign nations, and pajrticularly 
from England. 

Had England been satisfied to contend for 
commercial superiority by fair means, she would 
long, very long, continue to supply the United 
, States with idmost every kind of manufacture; 
but she calculated that the pacific policy of the 
States would continue, and that the pulitical dis- 
putes among her ov/n citii:ens would render her 
a weak enemy even in war; and it is even pro- 
bable, that the resubjugation of tiie colonies were 
in a certain expected event contemplated. That 
event was to be the overthrow of France. Had 
the United States nnresiatiiigly submitted until 
the restoration of the Bourbons, they would then 
havt had war with a vengeance. 

'^ The history of the present king of Great 
Britiia," says the declaration of independence, 
*' is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations." 

B 



14- HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

Tliis would at this day, be a just representation 
of the conduct of Great Britain, from the ter- 
mination of the revolutionary, to the commence- 
ment of the present war. Instead of dwelling 
more minutely on it, it is sufilcient to say, that 
it was so continued, so multiplied and multifa- 
rious, that the United States had no alternative 
but submission to wrongs, by which they would 
be degraded as a nation, or an appeal to arms. 
The latter was resorted to. 

On IMonday, the 1st of June, a confidential 
message was received in both cljambers of ccfi- 
gress, from the president of tlie United States, 
which was read v/itli closed doors, and refer- 
red, in each house, to committees to report 
thereon. 

Th(i message (as appeared after the injunction 
of secrecy v/as removed) was in the. foUoSving 
words. 



MANIFESTO. 



«= 



To the Senate a?id House of Be^f-resentaiires of 

the United States. 



1 communicate to Congress certain documents, being a 
continuation of those heretofore laid before tbsm, on the sub- 
Ject «f our affairs "with Great Britain, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 15 

Without going back beyond the rf>newal in 1803 of the war in 
which Great Britain is engaged, and omitting unrepairefd wrongs 
of inferior magnitude, the conduct of her government presents 
a series of acts hostile to the United States, as an independent 
and neutral nation. 

British cruisers have been in the continued practice of vio- 
lating the American flag on the great highv/ay of nations, and 
of seizing and carrying ofF persons sailing under it ; not in the 
exercise of a beilisfprent rig^ht founded on the law of nations 
against an euemy, bat of a municip:-! prerog.it!ve over British 
subjects. British jurisdiction is thus extended to neutral vessels 
in a station wiiere no laws can operate, buj: the law of natiotvs, 
and the laws of the country to which the vessels belong ; and a 
self-redress is assumed, which, if British subjects v/ere wrong- 
fully detained and alone concerned, is that substitution of force, 
for a resort to the responsible sovereign, which falls within tlie 
definition of war. Couid the seizure of British subjects v\ 
•uch cases be regarded as withiii the exercise of a belligerent 
right, the acknowledged laws of v/ar, which forbid an article 
of captured property to be adjudged v/ithout a regular investi- 
gation before a competent tribunal, would imperiously demand 
the fairc3t trial, where the sacred rights of persons vt'ere at 
issue.' In place of" such a trial, these rights afs stibjected to 
the will of every petty commander. 

The practice, hence, is so far from afTectir-g B\-itish subjects 
alone, that, under the pretext of searching for the^^e, thousands 
«)f Anierican citizens, under the safeguard of public law, and 
of their national flag, have been toirxi from their country and 
«very thing dear to them ; have been dragged on board ships 
of war of a foreign nation, and exposed under the severitiei 
of their discipline, to be exiled to the most distant and deadly 
climes, to risk their lives in the battles of their oppressors, and 
to be melancholy instruments of taking away those of their 
own brethren. 

Against this crying enormity, which Great Britain would be stt 
prompt as to avenge if committed against herself, the United 
States have in vain exhausted remonstrances and expostulations. 
And that no proof might be wanting of their conciliatory dis- 
positions, and no pretext left for a continuance of the practice, 
the British gov; rnment was formerly assured of the readiness 
of the United Stares to enter into arransfements, such as could 
not be rejected, if the recovery of British subjects were the 
real and the sole object. The communication passed without 
effect. 

British cruisers have been in the practice also of violating the 
rights, and the peace of our coasts. They hover over and har- 
ass our departing commerce. To the most insulting preten- 
sions they have added the most lawless proceedings in our very 
harbours; and have wantonly spilt American blood withia 



]6- HISTORY OF THE \TAI^. 

the sanctuary of our territorial jujis^diction. The principles 
and rules enforced by that nation, when a neutral nation, 
against armed vessels or belligerents hovering near her cuasts, 
and disturbing her commerce, are vveil known. When called 
on, nevertheless, by the United States, to punish the greater of- 
fences commiited by her own vessels, her government lias bestow- 
ed on their cotnmanderadditional marks if h^nor andconlidenee. 

Under pretended blockades, without the presence of an ade- 
qi.iate force, and sometimes witiiout the practicability of apply- 
ing one, our conimcrce has been plundered in every sea; the 
great staples of onr country have been'cut oft from their lcgiti-» 
mate markets; and a dt'struclive blow aimed at our agricultu* 
ral and maritime interests. In aggravation of these predatory 
measures, they have been considered as in force from the dates 
of their notification; a retrospective effect being thus added, as 
has been done in other important cases, to the unlawfulness of 
the course pursued. And to render the outrage the more sig- 
nal, these mock blockades have been reiterated and enforced in 
the face of official comniunicaticns from the British govern- 
ment, di^claring, as the true definition of a legal blockade, 
*' that particular ports must be actually invested, and previous 
warning given to vessels bound to them not to enter." 

Not content whh those occasional expedients for laving waste 
our neutral trade, tlie cabinet of Great Britain resorted at 
length to the sweeping system of blockades under the name of 
Orders in Council, v.hich has been moulded and managed as 
might best suit its j)oIitical views, its commercial jealousies, or 
the avidity of British cruisers. 

To our remonstrances against the complicated and transcen- 
dent iiijudtice of this innovation, the first reply vi'as, that the 
orders were reluctantly adopted by Great Britain as a necessary 
retaliation on the decrees of her enemy proclaiming a general 
blockade of the British isles, at a time ivheii the naval force of 
that enemy dared not to is»ue from his ov^-n ports. She was re- 
minded, without effect, that her own prior blockades, unsup- 
ported by an adequate naval force, actually apphtd and conti- 
nued, were a bc^r to this plea; that executed edicts against 
millions of our property could not be retaiiatioli on edicts, con- 
fessedly impoi'sible to be executed ; that retaliation, to be just, 
should fall on the partv setting the guilty example, not oji 
an innocent party, which was not even chargeable with an 
kctjuiescence in it. 

When deprived of this flimsy veil for a proh.ibition of our 
trade with her enemy, by the repeal of his prohibition of our 
trade with Great Britain, her cabinet, instead of a correspond- 
ing repeal, or practical discontinuance of its orders, formally 
avowed a determination to persist in them against the United 
States, until the markets of her enemy should be laid open 
te British products; thus asserting an obligation on a neutral 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. t7 

power to require one belligerent to encourage, by its internal 
regulations, the trade of another belligerent ; contradicting 
her own practice towards all nations, in peace as well as in 
war ; and betraying the iasiacerity of those professions which 
inculcated a behef that, having resorted to her orders with 
regret, siie was anxious to find an occasion of putting an end 
to them. 

Abandoning stili more all respect for the neutral rights of the 
United States, and for its own consistencv, the British govern- 
Viient now demands as prerequisites to a repeal of its Oiders, as 
they reiace to the United States, that a formality should be ob- 
served in the repeal of the French decrees, no wise necessary to 
their termination, nor exemplified by British usage ; and that 
the French repeal, besides including that portion of tiie decrees 
which operates within a territorial jurisdiction, as well as that 
which operates on the high seas, against the commerce of the 
United States, should not be a single repeal in relation to tlw 
United States, but should be extended to whatever oiher neu- 
tral nations, unconnected with them, may be. affected by those 
decrees. And, as an additional insult, they are called on for 
a formal disavowal of conditions and pretensions advanced by 
-the French government, for wliicli the United States are so far 
from liaving made themselves responsible, that in ofliciaJ ex- 
plan.ations, which have been published to the world, and in % 
correspondence of the American minister at London, with the 
British minister for foreign affai.rs, such a responsibility v»'as 
explicitly and emphatically disclaimed. 

It has become indeed suiticiently certain, tliat the commerce 
of the United States is to be sacriticeil, not as interfering v;ith 
the belligerent rights of Great Britain, — not as supplying the 
wants of her enemies,, which she herself supplies — but as in- 
terfering wit-h the monopoly v/hich sii*; covets for her own 
commerce and navigation. She carries on a v/ar against the 
lav/ful commerce of a friend, that s le may the better carry on 
a commerce with an enemy — a commerce polluted by the for- 
geries and perjuries which are for the most part the only pass- 
ports by which it can succeed. 

Avwious to make, every experiment, short of the last resort 
of injured nations, tlie U-iiited States have withheld from_Great 
Britain, under successive rnodificacions, the benefits of a fre« 
intercourse with their market, the loss of v.fhich could not but 
outweigh the profits accruing from her restrictions of our 
commerce with other nations. And to entitle these experi- 
ment* to the more favourable consideration, t'ley were so framed 
as to enable her to place her adversary under the.^exclusire 
operation of them. To these appeals her government h been 
equally inflexible ; as if willing co make sacrifices ot very 
S)ort, rather than yield to the claims of justice, or renounce 
the errors of a fabe pride. Nay, so far were the attempts car- 

B 2 



IS HISTORY OF TflE WAR. 

ried to overcome the attachment of the British cabinet to it 
unjust edicts, that it received every encouragement within the 
comperencv of the executive branch of our government, to ex- 
pect that a repeal of them would be followed by a vi^ar be* 
tween the United States and France, unless the French edicts 
should also be repealed. Even this communication, although 
silencing for ever the plea of a disposition in the United States 
to acquiesce in those edicts, originally the sole plea of them, 
received no attention. 

If no other proof existed of a predetermination of the Bri- 
tish government against a repeal of its orders, it might be 
found in the correspondence of the minister plenipotentiary of 
the United States at L«ndon, and the British secretary for fo- 
reign aftairSjin 1810, on the question whether the blockade of 
May, lSt5C, was considered as in force or as not in f(>rce. It 
had been ascertained that the French government, which urg- ' 
ed this blockade as the ground of its Berlin decree, was wil- 
ling, in the event of its removal, to repeal that decree: which 
being followed by alternate repeals of the other oflensire edicts, 
miasht abolish the whole svstem on both sides. This inviting 
opportunity for accomplishing an object so important to the 
United States, and professed so often to be the desire of both 
the belligerents, was made known to the British government. 
As that government admits that an actual application of an 
adeouate force is necessary to the existence of a legal blockade, 
and it was notoi ious thit if such a force had ever been applied, 
its long discontinuance had annulled the blockade in question, 
there could be no suflicient objection on the part of Great 
Britain to a formal revocation of it ; and no imaginable ob- 
jection to a declaration of the fact that t!ie blockade did not 
exist. The declaration would have be.^n consistent with her 
avowed principles of blockade, and would have enabled the 
United States to demand from France the pledged repeal of 
her decrees ; either wiih success, in which case the way would 
have been opened for a general repeal of the belligerent edicts, 
or without success, in which case the United States would have 
been jtustifiable in tuning their measures exclusively against 
France. The British government would, hov/ever, neither re- 
scind the blockade, nor declare its non-existence; nor permit 
hs non-existence to be inferred and afTirmed by the Ameiican 
plenipotentiary. On the contrary, by representing the blocK- 
ade to be comprehended in tlie orders in council, the United 
States were compelled so to regard it in their subsequent pro- 
ceedings. 

There was a period, when a favourable change in the policy 
of the British cabinet was justly considered as established. The 
minister plenif>otentiary of his Britanoic majesty here, pro- 
posed an adjustment of the differences more immediately endan- 
gerirg the hanfiony of the two countries. The propositioa 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. i§ 

was accepted with a promptitude and cordiality correspond- 
ing with the invariable professions of tiiis government. A 
foundation appeared to be laid for a sincere and lasting recon- 
ciliation. The prospect, however, quickly vanished;. The 
whole proceeding was disavowed by the British government, 
without any explanations which could at that time repress the 
belief, that the disavowal proceeded from a spirit of hostility 
to the commercial rights and prosperity of the United States. 
And it has since come into proof, that at the very moment 
when the p\iblic minister was holding the language of friend- 
ship, and inspiriiig confidence in the sincerity of the negocia- 
tion with which he was charged, a secret agent of his go- 
vernment was employed in intriguefe, having for their object 
a subversion of our government, and a dismemberment of our 
happy union. 

hi reviev/ing the conduct of Great Britain towards the Uni- 
ted States, our attention is necessarily drawn to the warfare 
just renewed by the savages on one t f our extensive frontiers; 
a warfare which is known to spare neither age nor sex, and 
to be distinguished by features peculiarly shocking to humani- 
ty. It is dilTicutt to account for tlie activity and combinations 
which have for some time been developing themselves among 
tribes in the constant intercourse with British traders and 
gai risons, without connecting their hostility with that influence, 
and without recollecring the authenticated examples of such 
interposiiions hitherto furnished by the officers and .agents of 
that ^"overnment. 

Such is the spectacle of injuries and indignities which have 
been heapt-d on our country; and such the crisis which its un- 
exampled forbearance and conciliatory efForts have not been 
ahle to avert. It might at least have been expected, that aa 
enlightened nation, if less urged by moral obligations or invi- 
ted by ffiendiy dispositions on the part of the United States, 
would have found, in its true interest alone, a sufficient mo- 
tive to respect their rights and their tranquillity on the high 
seas; and that an eniarged policy would have favored that 
free and general circulation of commerce, in which the British 
nation is at all times interested, and which, in times of v/ar, 
is the best alleviation of its calamities to herself as well 
as the otlier belligerents; and moie erpeciaJly that the 
Britisii cabinet wwuid not, for the sake of a precarious and sur- 
reptitious intercourse with hostile markets, have persevered 
in a course of measures which necessarily put al hazard- the 
invaluable market of a great and growing country, di'^posed to 
cultivate the muuual advantage of an active commerce. . 

Oiher councils have prevailed. Our moderation and concilia- 
tion have had no other effect than to encourage perseverance, 
and to enlarge pretenbiuns. — We behold our seafaring citizens 
still the daily victims of lawless vioieuce committed on the 



20 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

great common and highway of nations,,even within sight of 
the country which owes them protection. We behold our 
vessels freiglited with the products of our soil and industry, 
or returning with the honest proceeds of them, wrested frora 
their lawful destinations, confiscated by prize-courts no long- 
er the organs of public law, but the instruments of arbitrary 
edicts; and their unfortunate crews dispersed and lost, or for- 
ced or inveigled, in Biitibh ports, into British fleets; whilst 
arguments are employed in support of these aggressions which 
have no foundation but in a principle equally supporting a 
claim to regulate our external commerce in all cases what- 
soever. 

We behold, in fine, on thesideof Great Britain, a state of 
•WAT against the United^ States ; on the !>ide of the United States, 
a state of peace towards Gre it Britain, 

Whether the United States shall continue passive under these 
progressive usurpations, and these accumulating wrongs: or 
opposing force to force in defence of their natural rights, shall 
commit a just cause into the hands of the Almighty di-poser 
of events, avoiding all connexions which might entangle it in 
the contests or views of other powei s, and preserving a con- 
stant readiness to concur in an honorable re estabiishmcat of 
peace and friendsliip, is a solemn question which the consti- 
tution wisely confides to the legislative department of the go- 
vernment. In recommeudiag it to their early deiiberations, I 
am happy in tlie assurance that the decision will be worthy 
il.e eniigiitened and patriotic councils of a virtuous, a free, 
and a powerful nation. 

Having presented this view of the relations of the United 
States \vith Great Britain, and of tlje solemn alternative 
growing out of triem, I proceed to remark, that the communi- 
cations last made to congress on the subject cf our relation 
with France, will have shown, that since the revocation of her 
decrees as tbey violated the neutral rights of the United States, 
her government has authcjrised illegsl captures, by its privateers 
and public ships, and that other outrages have b?en practised 
on our vessels and our citizens. It will have been seen also, 
liiat no indemnity had been provided, or satisfactorily pledged 
for the extensive spoliations committed under the violent and 
retrospective orders of the French government against the pro- 
perty of our citizens seized within the jurisdiction of France; 
I abstain at this time, from recommending to the consideration 
of congress definitive measures with respect to that nation, in 
the expectation, that the result of unclosed discussions between 
our nup.ister plenipotentiary at Paris and the French gcvern- 
nient, will speedily enable congress to decide, with greater 
advantage, on the course due to the rights, the interests, and 
llie honor of our country. 

JAMES MADISON. 
IVashin^lerif June 1, 1812. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 21 

Mr. Ciilhoun, from the committee of f(xrei.<>-n re- 
lations of the house of represenlatives, to 'whom 
was referred the President's message, made a 
report, on the Sd Jane, of which the following 
is a copy. 

The, Committee of Foreign Relations^ to ivhom ivas referred the 
Message of. the FreAdent of the United Stutcs^ of the 1st of 
June^ 1 S 1 2, 

REPORT— 

That after the experience v/hich the United States have had 
of the great injustice of the Britibh gcvernmcnt towards them, 
exemphlied by so many acts of violence and oppression, it 
will be more diilicuk to justify to the impartial world their 
patient forbearance, than the measures to which it has become 
necessary to resort, to avenge the wrongs and vindicate the 
rights and honor of the naion. Your committee are happy to 
observe, on a dispassionate review of the conduct of the United 
States, that they see in it no cause for censure. 

If a long forbearance under injuries ought ever to be con- 
sidered a virtue in any nation, it is one which peculiarly be- 
comes the United States. No people ever had stronger mo- 
tives to cherish peace; none have ever cherished it with great- 
er sincerity and zeah 

But the period has now arrived, when the United States 
must support their character and station among the nations of 
the earth, or submit to the most shameful degradation. For- 
bearance has ceased to be a virtue War on the one side, and 
peace on the other, is a situation o ruinous as it is disgraceful. 
The mad ambition, the lust of power, and commercial avarice 
of Great Britain, arrogating to herself the complete dominion 
of the oceau/jiand exercising over it an unbounded and law- 
less tyranny, have left to neutral nations an alternative only, 
between the base surrender of their rights, and -a manlv viu- 
dicalion of ttteni. Happily for the United States, their destiny, 
under the aid of Heaven, 'is in their own hands. The crisis is 
formidable only for their love of peace. As soon as it becomes 
a duty to relinquish that situation, danger disappears. They 
have suffered no wrongs, thejrhave received no insults, how- 
ever great, for which they cannot obtain redress. 

More than seven years have elapsed since the commencement 
of this system of hostile aggression by the British government, 
on the rights and interests of the United States. The manner 
of its commencement was not less hostile, than the spirit witk 
which it has been prosecuted. The United States have invaria- 
bly done every thing in their power to preserve the relations 
of friendship with Great Britain. Of this disposition, they 
f ave a distinguished proof at the moment when they were made 



22 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

the victims of an opposite policy. The.v/roncrs of the last war 
had not bceu forgotten at the commencement of the present one. 
They warned us of dangers, against which it was soug^ht to 
provide. As early as the year 1804, the minister of the United 
States at Loudon, was instructed to invite the British govern- 
ment to enter into a negociation on all the poiats on which a 
collioien might arise between the tv/o countries in the course 
of the war, and to propose to it an arrangement of their claims 
on fair and reasonable conditions. The invitation was accepted. 
A negociation has commenced and was depending, and nothing 
had occurred to excite a doubt that it would not terminate to 
the satisfaction of both parties. It was at this time and^ under 
these circumstances that an attack was made, by surprise, on 
an important branch of the American commerce, v/hich affect- 
ed every part of the-United States, and involved many of their 
citizens in ruin. 

The commerce on which this attack was so unexpectedly 
made, was between the United States and the colonics of 
France, Spain, a;id other enemies cf Great Britain. A com- 
merce just in itjelf ; sanctioned by the example of Great Britain, 
in regard to the trade with her ovvn colonies; sanctioned by a 
•olemn act between the two governments in the last war, and 
sanctioned by the practice of the British government in tlie 
present war, more th<in two years having then elapsed without 
any interference with it. 

The injustice ©f this attack could only be equalled by the ab- 
surdity ct the pretext alledgcd for it. It was pretended,by tlie 
British government, that in case of war, her enemjr had no 
right to modify its colonial regulations, so as to mitigate th« 
calamities cf war to the inhabitants of its colonies. Tliis pre- 
tension, peculiar to Great Britain, is utterly incompatible with 
the rights of sovereignty in every independent state. If we 
recur to the well-established and universally admitted law of 
nations, we shall find no sanctioato it in thai venerable code. 
The sovereignty of every state is co-extensive with its dominions, 
and cannot be abrogated or curtailed in its rights, as to any 
part except by conquest. Neutral nations have a rig'it to trade 
to every port'of either belligerent, which is not legally block- 
aded, and in all articles which are not contraband of war. 
Such is the absurdity of this pretension, that your committee 
are aware, especially after the able manner in which it has been 
heretofore refuted and exposed, thit they would ofl'er an insult to 
the understandingof the house, if they enlarged on it ; and if 
any thing could add to the high sense of the injustice of the 
British government in the transaction it would be the contrast 
which her conduct exhibits in regard to this trade, and im-e- 
gard to a similar trade, by neutrals, with her own colonies. It 
is known to the world, that Great Britain regulates her own 
trade in war and in peace, at home and in her colonies, as she 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. . ^3 

finds for her interest — that in war she relairesthe resfiaints of her 
colonial system in favor of the colonies, and that it never was 
»tig<rested that she had not a right to do it; or that a neutral, 
in taking advantage of the relaxation, violated a belligerent 
right of her enemy. But with Great Britain, every thing is 
lawful. It is only in a trade with her enemies that the United 
States can do wrong-. With them all trade is unlawful. 

In the year 179S, an attack was made by the British govern- 
ment on the same branch of our neutral trade, which had 
nearly involved the tvio countries in a war. The difference, 
hov.rever, was amicably acccnv-ncdated. The pretension was 
withdrawu, and reparation made to the United States for the 
losses which they had siiffered by it. ft was fair to infer, from 
that arrangement, that the couimerce wat deeaied by the Bri- 
tish government lawful, and that it would not be again dis- 
turbed. 

Had the. British government been resolved to contest tliis 
trade with neutrals, it was due to the character of the British 
nation that the decision should be made known to tlie govern- 
ment of the United States. The existence of a iiegociation 
which Ixad been invited by our government, for the purpose 
of preventing differences by an amicable arrangement of their 
respective pretentions, gave a strong claim to thcnotification, 
while it afforded the fairest opportunity/or it. But a very 
differeni policy animated the then cabinet of England. 
The liberal confidence and friendly overtures of the United 
States were taken advantage of to ensnare them. Steady to 
its purpose, and inflexibly hostile to this country, the British 
government calmly lo;ked forward to the mfimcnt when it 
might give the most deadly wound to our interests. A trade, 
just in itself, which was secured by so many sfrong and sacred 
pledges, was considered safe. Our citizens, with tVicir n^ual 
industry and enterprize, had embarked in it a vast proportion 
cf their shippirtg, and of their capital, Vv-hich were at sea, un- 
der no ether protection than the law of nations, and the con- 
fidence which they reposed in the jintice and friendship of the 
British nation. At this period the unexpected blow was given. 
Many of our vessels were seized, c:4rried into port, and con- 
demned by a tribunal winch, while it professes to respect the 
law of nations, obeys the mandates of its ov/n government. 
Hundreds of t)ther vessels were driven Jroni the ocean, and 
the trade itself, in a great measure, suppressed. The effect 
produced by this attack on the lawful commerce of the Uni- 
ted States, was such as might have been expected from a vir- 
tuous, independent, and highly injured people. But one sen- 
timent pervaded the whole American nation. No local interests 
were regarded ; no sordid motives felt. Without looking on 
the parts that suffered most, the invasion of our rights was con- 
sideied a common craise, and from one exiremity of or.r Union 



24. HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

to the other, was heard the voice of a united peo-jsle, calllnfr 
on their government to avenge their wrongs, and vindicate the 
rights and honor of (!ie country. 

From this period the British government has 2;one on in a 
continued encroachment on theVights and interests of the Uni- 
ted States, disregarding in its course, in many instances, ohli- 
gatlons which have heretofore been held sacred by civilized 
nations. 

hi May 1806, the whole co;ist of the continent, from the 
Elbe to Brest inchi^iive, was decLirtxi to be in a state of block- 
ade. Ey tliis act the well estabh.^hed principles of jhe law of 
nations, principles which have served tor ages as guides, and 
fixed tlie boundary between the rights of belli;rerents and neu- 
trals, were violated. By the law of nations, as recognized by 
Great Britain herself, no blockaile is lawful, unless it be sus- 
tained by the application ( f an adequate force, and that an 
adequate force was applied to this blockade, in its ruU extent, 
will not be pre'.ended. Whether Great Britain whs able to 
maintain legally so extensive a blockade, considering the war 
in which she is engaged, requiring such extensive naval opera- 
tfon?, is a question v/hich is not necessary at this time to exa- 
mine. It is sufficient to be known, that such force was not ap- 
plied ; and this is evident from the terms of the blockade itself, 
by which, comparatively, an inconsiderable portion of the 
coast only was declared to be in a slate of strict and rigort^us 
blockade. The objection to the measure is not diminir.hed br 
that circumstance. If the force was not applied, the hlocknde 
was unlawful, from whatever cause the failure might proceed. 
The belligerent who institutes the blockade cannot absolve it- 
self from the obligation to apply the force under any pretext 
whatever. For a belligerent to relax a blockade which it co>iid 
not nraintain, it would be a refinement in injustice, not less in- 
sulting to the understanding than repugnant to the laAv of na- 
tions. To claim merit from the mitigation of an evil, which 
the party had not the power, or found it inconvenient to in- 
flict, would be a new mode of eucroarhing on neutral rigJus. 
Your committee think it just to remark, that this act of the 
British government does not appear to have been adopted in 
the senae in which it has been since construed. On consi- 
deration of all the circumstances jittending the measure, and 
particularly the character < f the distinguished stater-inan who 
snnoimceu it, we are persuadi-d that it w^s conceivca in a spi- 
rit of conciliation, and intended to lead to an accommodation 
of all differences between the United States and Great Britain. 
His death disaj)pointed t lat hope and the act has since become 
subservic;it to other purposes. It has been made bv his sue- 
ccssor a pret,ext for that vast system of usurpation which has 
so long ojjpressed and harassed our ct^mmerce. 
^ The next act of the Biitibh govtrnmeiit- which claims our 



HISTORY OF T[1I<, WA?.. Qr> 

attentian, is the order of council of January 7, 1807, by which 
neutral powers arc prohibited trading from one port to another 
of France or her allies, or any other country with which Grea: 
Britain might not freely trade. By this order the pretrtision 
of England, heretofore claimed by every other power, to pro- 
hibit neutrals disposing of prirts of their cargoes at dilTerent 
ports of the same enemy, is revived, and with vast accumula- 
tion of injury. Every enemy, however great the number, or 
distant from each other, is considered one ; and the like trade 
"with powers at peace with England, who from "motives of 
policy had excluded or restrained her commerce, was also pro- 
hibited. In this act the British government evidently disclaim- 
ed all regard for neutral rights. Aware that the measures au- 
thor^z^d by it could find no pretext in any belligerent right, 
none was urged. To prohibit t!ie sale of our produce, consist- 
ing of innocent articles, at any port of a belligerent not block- 
aded, to consider every belligerent ?.s one, and to subject neu- 
trals to the same restraints with all, as if there was but one, 
wore bold encroachments. But to restrain, or in any manner 
interfere wifh our commerce vvith neutral nations with whom 
she had no justifiable cause of war, for the-sole reason that they 
restrained or excluded from their ports her commerce, was ut- 
terly incompatible with the pacific relation subsisting between 
the two countries. 

We proceed to bring into view the British order in council, 
of November II, 1807, which superseded every other order, 
and co'isummatcd that system of hostility on the commerce of 
the United States, which has been since so steadily pursued, 
Uy this order all France and .her allies, and every other coun- 
try at war with Great Britain, or with -wdiich sh.e was not at 
war, from which the British f^ag was excluded, and all the co- 
lonies of her enemies, were subjected to the same restrictions asj 
if they were actually blockaded in the most strict find rigorous 
manner, and all trade in articles tin; produce and manufacture 
' of the said countries ami colonies, and the vessels engaged in it 
were subjected to capture and irondemnation as lawful prizes. 
To this order certaiji exceptions were made, wluch we forbear 
to notice, because they were not adopted from a regard to neu- 
tral rights, but were dictated by policy to promote the com- 
wierce of England, and so far as they related to neutral powers, 
were said to emanate from the clemency of the British govern* 
ment. 

it would be superfluous in your committee to stajte that by 
this order the British government declared direct and positive 
war agrunst the United States. The dominion oC the ocean 
was completely usurped by it, all commerce forbidden, and 
every. fi.ig driven from it, or subjected to capture and condem- 
nation, which did not subserve tiie policy of the British govern- 
ment, by paying it a trib-ucc, and sailing under its sanction. 
From this ptiiod the United .States have incurred the heaviest 

C 



2(5 inSTOriY OF TlIlL WAR. 

fosses arid most mortifyinjr humiliations. They Ij^ve borne tne 
calairiitics cf war without retorting^ thetn on its authors. 

So far vour committee has prc?eatetl to the view of the 
house tlie aggressions whicii have been comniitted under 
the authority cf the British go^'ei;nnieni on the com- 
merce of the United States. — We will now proceed' to other 
wrongs, wh.ich have been still more severely . felt. Among 
these is the irrpressmer.t of our seamen; a practice which has 
been unceasingly maintained by Great Britain in the wars to 
which she has been a party since our revtilution. Year com- 
jTiittce car^not convey in adequate terms the deep sense which 
they entertain of the injustice and oppresf^ion of this proceeding. 
Under the pretext of impressing British seatnen, our fellow-ci- 
tizens are seized in Britis!) ports, on the higii seas, and in every 
other quarter to which the Eri'ish povi'er extends — are taken on 
board British men of war, and compelled to serve there as Bri- 
tish £ul>j-;cts. In this mode our citizens are wantonly snatched 
from t'leir country and their famiiic*, deprived of their liberty, 
and doomed to an ignominious and slavish bondage, compel- 
led to light t!ie battles of a foreign couutry, and often to perish 
in them. Our flaghss given them no protection ; it has been un- 
ceasingly violated, and our vessels €xpo^ed to danger by t^e loss 
of the men taken from them. Your committee need not remark, 
that wliile the practice is continued, it is impossible for the Uni'ed 
States to consider ihemselvc-e an indej^ciident nation. Every new 
case is a new proof of their degradation, its continuance is the 
more unjustifiable, bccauoethe U. Stateshaverepeatedly proposed 
to the British government an arrangement which would secure to 
it the controu! of its own people. An exemption of t!je citi- 
zens of the United States from this degrading oppression, and 
their Hag from violation, is all they have sought. 

This 'awless v;aite of our trade, and cqaally unlawful impress- 
ment of our seamen, .have been much aggravated by the in- 
sults and indignities attending iliem. Under the pretext of 
blockading the harbours of France and her allies^, British squa- 
drons have been staiicned en our own coast, to .watch and an- 
noy our own trade. To ^ive effect to the blockade of Euro- 
pean ports, the ports and harbours of the United States have 
been blockaded. In executing these orders of the British go- 
vernn;ent, or in obeying the spir.it which Vv'as known to aui- 
inate it, the commanders of these squadrons have encroached 
on our jurisd'ictlon,' eeizcd our vessels, and carried into eiTect 
impressments v.'ithin our limits, and do e oths,r acts of great in- 
justice, violcr.ce, and orpression. The United States have 
seen with CTiingicd indignation and surprise, that these acts, in- 
stead ot procuring to the perpetrators the punishment due to 
unauthorized crimes, have not failed to recommend them to 
the favour of their government. 

Whaher the British govcinment has contributed by active 
meaavties to excite again'it us the bosuliiy of the savage tribes 



HISTORY OJ THE WAR. 2/ 

en cuf frontitrs, your committee are not disposed to occupy 
jnuch time ia investigating. Certain indications of genera' no- 
torietV'may supply the place of authentic documents ; thougli 
these have not been waniin;]^ to ej>:ablish the fact in some in- 
stances. It is kno'vvn that symptoms of Sritish hosfiiity towards 
the Uaiited States have riev^r failed to produce correspondia^^ 
s^-mptonw aitiong those tribes. It is' also t/eli known that on 
all such occasions abundant supplies of the ord!)iary mun'tion* 
of war have been offered by- the agents of British comni'er- 
ci.i! compaiiies, and even from Erittsh garrisons, wherewith tbey 
were enabled to commence that system of savage warfarfe on 
0!ir froiuieis, which has been at all times so indiscriminate in its 
effect on ail no c\s, sexts a;Mi candiiions, and so revohincr to hu- 
manify. 

^'our committee would be much gratilied if they conid ciosa 
here the detiiil of British wroo^s ; but it is their duty to recite' 
ano:r-.cr act of bii!; greaterrnalignity than any of those Vrhich have 
been already brought to your view. The attempt to dismem- 
ber our union, and overthrow our excellent constitution, by 
a secret mission, the oiiject of which was to fonaent discon- 
tents and excite iricurreclionj, agaiast the constituted authori- 
ties and laws of the nation, as lately disclosed by the agent 
empl^yc^ in it, aiFords full proof that there is no bounds to 
the hostility of the British goverruhent towards the United 
State?,— ^no act, iiowevor ar.jusciiiable, w^hich it wpuld not com- 
init toaccompliish their ruia. This attempt excites the greater 
horror, from the consideration that it was made while the Uni- 
ted States and Great Britain were at peac?, and an amicabli; 
r.egociation was depending between them -for the accommod^- 
taon of their differences through public ministcri regularly 
authorized for the purpiose. 

The United States have beheld, with unexampled forbearance, 
this continued series of hostile encroachn^.ents on their rights 
and interests, in the hope that, yield iiig to the force of friend- 
ly remonstrances, often repeated, the British government might 
adopt a more just po'.icy towards them ; but that hope no long- 
er exists. — They hrive al»o weighed impartiaily the reasons 
which have been urged by the British government in vindi- 
cation of these tncroachmentd, and found in them neither jus- 
tification nor apology. 

The British government has alleged in vindication of the 
orders in council, that they wei'e resorted to as a re^aliatio i 
on France, for similar agirressions committed on onr neutral 
trade with the British dmnintons. But how has this plen 
been supported ? The datfs of British and French aggresfipfis 
are well knowii to the world. Their origin aiid progress have 
been marked v/ith too v^^ide and. destructive a waste of the 
property of our fellow-citiyiens, to have been forgotten, — TL-.! 
decree of Betlin, of Nov. 21, 1800", was tlse first aggression ; 
France in the preseiu war. Eighteen aioathd had beea ebpaifl 



28 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

after the attack made by Great Britain on our neutral trade, 
with the colonies of France and her allies, and six moi-iha 
from the date of the proclamation of May, 1806. — Even on 
the 7th Jan. 1807, the date of the first British order iu coun- 
cil, so short a term had elapsed after the Berlin decree, tiiat it 
was hardly possible that the intelligence of it should have reach- 
ed the United-'States. A retaliation which is to produce its fcifect, 
by operating on a neutral power, ought not to be resorted to, 
till the neutral had justified it by a culpable acquiescence iu 
the unlawful act of the other belligerent. It cuglu to be delay- 
ed until after tuffitient time had been allowed to the neutral 
to renicnstrate against the measure complained of, to receive au 
answer ai»d to act on it, which has not been done on the pre-, 
sent instance; and when the order of Nov. 11th was issued, it 
is well known that the minister of France had declared to the 
minister plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris,- that it 
was not intended that the decree of Berlin should apply to the 
United States. It is equally well Tcnown, tliat no American, 
vessel had then been condemned under it, or jeizuie been made, 
with vi-hich the British government was acquainted. The facts 
prove incontestibly, that the measures of France, however un- 
justifiable in themselves, were nothing more than a pretest for 
those of England. And of the insufficiency of rhat pretext, 
ample proof has already been afforded by the British govern- 
ment itself, and in the most impressive form. Althuugh it 
was declared that the orders in council were retaliatory on 
France for*lier decrees, it was also declared, and in the orders 
themselves, that owing to the superiority of the British navy, 
by which the fleets of France and her allies were confined 
vv'iihin their own ports, tlie French decrees were considered 
only as empty threats. 

It is no justification of the wrongs of one power, that the 
like were committed by another, nor ought the fact, if true, 
to have been urged by either, as it could allbrd no proof of its 
love of justice, of its magnanimity, or even of its courage. It 
is more worthy the government of a great nation, to relieve 
than to assail the injured. Nor can the repetition of wrongs 
by another pov^^er repair the violated rights or wounded honor 
of the injured party. An utter inability alone to resist, would 
justify a quiet surrender of our rights, and degrading .^ubmic- 
sion to the will of others. To that condition the United States 
are not reduced, nor do they fear it. That tliey ever consent- 
ed to discuss with either power the misconduct of the other, is 
a proof of their love of peace, of their moderatitn, and of 
the hope which they still indulged, that friendly appeals to just 
and generous sentiments would »iot be mads to them in vain. 
' But the motive was mistaken, if their forbearance was imputed, 
either ko the want of a just sensibility to their wrongs, or of a 
cieterminaticn, if suiuble redrtss was xiot obtained, to resent 



HISTORY OF TME WAR. 2D' 

them. The *ime has now arrived when this System of reason 
ing rrust c^ase — It would be insu'Uii^a^ to repeat it — It would b 
degradi-ng to hear it. The United Slates must act as ?w inde* 
pendent nation, and assert their r?^A/i: and avenge their -rtTo;??!-.!' 
according to their own estinrfaie of thera, with the party who 
commits them, holding' it responsible for its own misdeeds, ua- 
mitigited bytho&eof another. 

For the difT^rente made between Great Britain and France, 
by the application of the non- importation act aj^ainst En<yhn(i 
only, the motive has been already too often expJuined, and is 
too well knovv'n to require further illustration. In the com- 
mercial restrictions to which the United States resorted as aa 
evidence of their sensibility, and a mild retaliation of their 
wrongs, they invariably placed both powers on the same foot- 
ing, lioiding ol!t to each in respect to itself, the same accom- 
modation, in case it accepted the condition offered, and in re- 
spect to the other, the same restraint, if it refused. Had the 
British government confirmed the arrangement which was en- 
tered inro by the British minister in JS09-, and France maia- 
taii:ed iier deciees, with France v/ouldthe United States have 
had to resist', with the firiimess beiongin*j to theic charact&r, 
the continued violation of their rights. Tlie com;ntttec do ntc 
hesitate to declare, that France has greatly injured the Uniceil 
States, and that satisfactory reparation has not vet been made 
for many of those injnries. Bat, that is a conoern which ih* 
United States will look to and settle for thenTselves. The hi^'-^ 
character of the American people, is a sutlicient pledge to. t.h<^ 
world, that they will not fail to settle ir, on conditions which 
thev have a right to claim.. 

More recently the true policy of the British government to* 
wards the U>tited Slates has been completely unfolded. It has 
been publicly declared by those in po'^-er that the orders in 
council'should not be repealed until the French government had 
revoked all itsiaternd rest rajnts.oia the British commerce, and 
that ihe trade of the United States with France a;«.d her allies, 
should be prohibited until Great Britain was also allowed to 
trade v/ith them By this declaration it appears, that to satis?'/ 
the pretensions of the British government, the United States 
m.ust join Great Britain in the war with France, and proiecute 
the war,- until France should be subdued, for wiuuni- h^- s'^b- 
jugation. h wer« in yain to. presume on such a cone- , The 

iiosti'.ity of the British ig^oveinment' to these states hd". r.een stili 
further disclybed. It has been nx^te canifest that the United 
States are considered by it as the commercial rival of . Great 
Britain, and th^j: their-^rosperity and .growth are iacompatiblo 
with her welfare. V/hea all the?e circumstances are taken into 
consideration, it is impostible for your couunittee to dcubt tlu? 
motives which have gopcrned ths British Mini'^try in ali itn 
measures towards the Uaiicd States siace the year l$05. licj^iui 

C 2 



30 HISTORY OF THE WAP. 

ly is it impossible to doubt, longer, the course which the United 
States ought to pursue towards Great Britain. 

From this view of the multiplied wrongs of the British go- 
vernment since the commencement of the present war, it must 
be evident to the impartial world, that the contest which is now 
forced on the United States, is radically a contest for their fco- 
vereignty and independence. Your committee will not enlarge 
on any of the injuries, however great, which have had a trau- 
Sitory effect. They wish to call the attenrion of the House to 
those of a permanent nature only, which intrench so deeply in 
our most important rights, and wound so extensively ai:id vi- 
tally our best interests, as could not fail to deprive the United 
States of the principal advantages of their r-evolution, if sub- 
niiaed to. The conti-ol of our commerce by Great Britain, in 
regulating at pleasure and expelling it almost from the ocean ; 
the oppresoive manner in which these regulations have been 
Carried into tfTect, by seizing and confiscating such of our ves- 
sels uitii their cargoes, as were said to have violated her edicts, 
oiren without previous warning of their danger; the impress- 
ment of our citizens from on board our own vessels, on the 
high seas, and elsewhere, and holding them in bondage until it 
suited the convenience of their oppressors to deliver them up 
are encroachments of that high and dangerous tendency which 
could not fail to produce that pernicious effect, nor v/ould those 
be the only consequences that would result from it — The Bri- 
tisii government might, for a while, be satisfied with the ascen- 
dency thus gained over us, but its pretensions would soon in- 
crease. Ti'.e proof, which so complete and disgraceful a sub- 
mi&sicn to its auihority would afford of our degeneracy, couid 
not fail to inspire confidence that there was no limit to which its 
Ufurpations and our degradation might not be carried. 

Your committee, beiicvirg that the free-born sons of Ameri- 
ca are worthy to enjoy the liberty which their fathers purchas- 
ed at tlie price of so n uch blcod and treasure, and seeing, in 
the measures adopted by Great Britain, a cours-e commenced 
and persisited in, which might lead to a loss of national cha- 
racter and independence, feel no hcoitation in advising resistance 
by force, In which the Americans of the present day will prove 
to the enemy and to the world, that we have not only inherited 
that liberty which our fathers gave us, but also the will and 
POWER to mainiain it. Relying on the patriotism of the na- 
tion, and confidently trusting, that the Lord of Hosts will go 
with us to battle in a righteous cause, and crown our efforts 
with success — your committee rccon:nieud an immediate appeal 

to ARMS. 

The report was, after two Ineffectual motions to 
have the doors opened, ordered to lie on the tabic. 



HISTORY OF THE W.-^R. 31 

Mr. Calhoun, from the same committee, on 
leave given, presented a bill, declaring vv^ar be- 
tween Great Britain and her dependencies, and 
the United States and their territories. This bill 
was warmly opposed and debated for two days; 
when the question being taken, shall the said bill 
pass? It was resolved in the affirmatiye. 

The Yeas and Neas were as follows : 

YEAS. 

New Hampshii^e. Dinsmoor, Hall, and Flar- 
per — 3. 

MassacJuisetts. Seaver, Carr, Green, Ricli- 
ardson. Turner, and Widgery— 6. 

Bhode-Island. None. 

Ve7-mo7it. Fisk, Shaw, and Strong — 3. 

Connecticut. None. 

New- York. Pond, Avery, and Sage — 3. 

New-Jerse?/. Condit, and Morgan — 2. 

Pemylvani-a. - Seybert, Anderson, Brown, Ro- 
berts, Findley, Smilie, Lyle, Whitehiil, Bard, 
Davis, Lefever, Hyneman, Piper, Lacock, Craw- 
ford, and Smyth— 16. 

Delaivare. ■ None. 

Marijland. Kent, Little, M-Eim, Ringgold, 
Brown, and Archer— 6. 

Virginia. Nelson, Gholson, Goodwyn, New- 
ton, Taliaferro, Dawson, Basset, Smith, Hawes, 
Roane, M'Koy, Pleasants, Cloptcn, and Bur- 
well— 14. 

North-Carolina. Alston, Blackledge, Macon, 
King, Cochran, and Pickens — 6. 

Soiiili'Carolina. Williams, Cheves, Lowndes, 
Butler, Calhoun, Earle, Winn, and Moore — 8. 

Georgia. Troup, Bibb, and Piull — ^^3. 

Kentuckey. Johnson, Desha, New, M'Kee, 
and Orm.sby — 5. 

Ihmessee. Rhea, Grundy, and Sevier — 3. 

Ohio. Morrow — 1 . 



32 HISTORY OF TflE WAR. 

NAYS. 

Ne'CD'HampsJiire. Bartlett, and Sullivan — ?. 

Massachusetts. Quincy, Reed, Tiiggart, Ely, 
Brigham, White, Tallman, and Wlieaton—8. ' 

Rhode-Inland. Potter, and Jackson — 2. 

Vermont. Chittenden — 1, 

Connecticui. Sturges, Davenport, Mosel}^, 
Champ ton, Tallmadge, Pitkin, and Law — 7. 

New-York. Bleecker, Emot, Cooke, Fitch, 
Gold, Sammons, Stow, Trac}^, Van Cortlandt, 
Mitchill, and Metcalf— 1 1. 

Ne-iJO-Jerseit. Boyd, Hufty, Maxwell, and 
Newbold — 4. 

Pensylvania. Milner, and Ptodman. — 2 

Dela'ware. Ridgely — 1. 

Mari/land, Key, Goldsborongh, and Stew- 
art — 3. 

Virginia. Randolph, Lewis, Baker, Breck- 
enridge, and Wilson — 5. 

North- Carolina. Pearson, M'Bryde, and Stan- 
ford— 3. 

South-Carolina. None. 

GeCfJ'gia. ' None. 

Kentucky. None. 

Tennessee. None. 

Ohio. None. 

Nays -49 



Majority for war 30 

On tlic 5th of June, a confidv^ntial message 
v/as received by the Senate, from the House of 
Representatives, by Mi\ Macon and Mr. Findley, 
two of their meriibers— Mr. Macon, chairman : 

" Mr. President— The Plouse of Representa- 
tives have passed a bill, entiiled, ' An act decLar- 
ing war between Great-Britain and her dep^nden»- 
cies, and tlic United StatQs and their territories f 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 33 

III which the J ask the concurrence of the Senate; 
and request that the bill be considered confiden- 
tially/' And they withdrew. 

The bill, "from the House of Representatives, 
was before the Senate, from day to day, until the 
1 7th June. It underwent a very enlarged discus- 
sion, met with much and violent opposition, but 
finally passed that body on the latter day ; there 
appearing for its passage 19; against it, 13. 

The act was passed into a law on the 18th, in 
the following words ; 

AN ACT, 

Declaring War behveen the United Kingdom of 
Great Britain and Ireland, and ike dependencies 
thereof and the United States of' Jhierica and 
their territories. 

JBEf it enacted hy the Senate and. House of B£- 
presentatives of the United States of America in Con- 
gress assembled, That WAll be, and the same 
is hereby declared to exist between the United 
Kino'dom of Great Britain and Ireland and the 
dependencies tliereof, and the United States of 
America and their territories ; and that the Pre- 
sident of the United States be, and lie is hereby 
authorized to use the whole land and naval force of 
the United States to carry the same into effect, 
and to issue to private armed vessels of the United 
States commissions or letters of marque and gene- 
ral reprisal, in such form as he shall think proper, 
and under the seal of the United States, against 
the vessels, goods, and effects of the government 
of the same United Kinp;dom of Great Britaui 
and Ireland, and the subjects thereot. 

June 18, 1812. 
APPROVED, . JAMES I^IADISON. 

On the following day (19th June) war was de- 
clared, by proclamation, the injunction of secrecy 



34 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

being previously removed in both houses of Con- 
gress. 

A peace of nearly 30 years, during which the 
Americans attended but little to improvements in 
the arts of v. ar, rendered them a})parently a very 
unequtil match for a nation whose armies ^and na- 
tives were more numerous than they had been at 
any former period. The best friends of America 
feared much ibr the fate of tlie little American 
navy. It was also sUi^:jposed that our undisciplined 
armies must experience several defeats from the 
well trained regulars of England ; but those, v» ho 
knew any thing of the revolutionary war, felt no 
doubt as t<) v/hat would be the event of the present. 
The wonderful exploits and happy issue that rc^ 
mains to be reccided, will show, that even the 
warmest enthusi-i^ts did not })robably anticipate re- 
nown and gloiv such as was in store for Ameri- 
cans. 

The public prints, on both skies, were warm in 
their denunciations of their respective opponents, 
and threats cf what would a:id could be perform- 
ed. Tlie following are given as spet^imens. 

From the Londc-n Coiir'^er. 

"America knows net that the vigor cf die Bri- 
tish empire increases with the necessity of exert- 
ing it that our elasticity rises with the pres- 
sure upon us — that diiiicuities cnly make us more 
firm and undaunted — that dangers only give us 
the additional means of overcoming tliem. It is 
in such a state- of affairs, in such a great crisis, 
that a nation like Great Britain becomes o-reater. 
V/e are now the only bulwark of liberty in the 
world — placed, a littr ^ spot, a speck almost on the 
ocean, between tlie ofd atid the new world, we are 
contending with both ; with one arm we are beat- 
1.1;^ *lu armies of the master of the continent cf 



HISx-ortY OF THE WARr 35 

Europe, and with the other 'we shall smite his 
iw?fect on the continerd of America^ 

From the New- York Motm? 7T(y Post. 

'^ Vv^itli a stone and a allng only, America com- 
menced the war of independence. Witlioi^t arms, 
without clothing, without money, and without 
credit, v/e took the field ; relvinjj uiion stout 
hearts, and the assistance of God for the suc- 
cess of a righteous, cause. The event has prov- 
ed, that with such reliances, a nation has noth- 
ing to fear. Our country has again thrown it- 
self upon the protection of the Lord of Hosts ; 
we need but prove faith i\d to Kim and to our- 
selves. Victory wjli again crown our efforts, 
and peace and plenty reward us for our toils. 
Who, that is truly an American, vrill despair of 
the success of his country ? Who vvill dare to be- 
Jieve that we can be otherwise than CONQUER- 
ORS? We had imagined this impossible, except 
with the agents of the enemy; yet, in a crisis 
so important, not only to us, but to posteizity, 
we have found that th.e spirit of treason has dar- 
ed to stalk abroad, even at noonday, amongst 
us. Is the enemy so strong in the camp — so 
confident of support, as to iiazarcl a fearless de- 
fiance? We are, it is true, proud to exist in a 
land of freedom — -but when men thi-eaten us with 
mvino; the assistance of their pens to the cause 
of our adversaries, who will hesitate to >3ay that 
such freedom becomes traitorous?" 

The state of the regular army was, at this time, 
such as scarcely to deserve, the name. — The mi- 
litia, with the exception of a few uniform com- 
panies in the cities, consisted of a yeomanry and 
, others accustomed to 'parade for a few hours 
each year, some with bad arms, others without 
any. The preparations %br v/ar on the land was 
confined to an expedition under the command of 



56 



IIISTOHY OF THE WAR. 



general Hull, of which notice will be taken in 
the [.l0per place. The navy consisted of the fol- 
lowinix vessek. 



List of' American 


Vessels, 


and their force. 


Rated. 


Mounting. 




Constitution, 


4i 


58 


Capt. Hull. 


United States, 


44 


58 


Decatur, 


President, 


44 


58 


Com. Rodgers. 


Chesapeake, 


36 


44 


Ordinary. 


New- York, 


36 


44 


do. 


Constellation, 


36 


44 


do. 


Corio-ress, 


36 


44 


Caj'>t. Smith. 


Boston, 


32 




Ordinary. 


Essex, 


32 




Ca}n. Porter. 


Adams, 


32 




Ordinary. 



CORVETTE. 

John Adams, 26 Capt. Ludlow, 

&XOOPS OF WAR. 



Wasp, 




16 


18 


C.ipt. Jones. 


liorriet, 




16 


18 


Lav/rence, 


« 






BRIGS. 




Siren, 




16 




Lieut. Caroll. 


Argus, 




16 




Crane. 


Oneida, 




16 




Com. Woolsey. 








SCHOONERS-, 


Vixen, 




12' 




Lieut. Gadsen. 


Nautihis, 




12 




Sinclair. 


Enterprise, 




12 




Biakelv. 

4/ 


Vipeic, 




12 




Bainbridge 


] 70 Gun B( 


:>at 


^? 


BOMBS, 


Capt. Shaw. 


Vengeance, 


"i 








Spitfire, 

^tna, 

Vesuvius, 


1 






Ordinary"-. 



Commodore Rcdgers, being at New- York, on 
receiving the presit.ent's proclamation, announc- 



HIS rORV OF THE WAR. 37. 

in<T war, addressed his men on the occasion, of^ 
fering' their wnges and a discharg'e to such as were 
unwiiiinfr to risk their lives with him. A (general 
huzza preceded the declaration of every individual 
t# " stand or fall with the commodore." The 
anchor was heaved, and, before night, the com- 
modore passed the light-house of Sandy- Hook, 
and proceeded to sea, having under his command 
the frigates Presidei'it, United States, and Ccn- 
fifress, and the sloo])s of war Hornet and Arpus. _ 
The connnodore returned to Boston, after a cruise ' 
of 72 days during which he passed within cne 
day's sail of the Britisli channel, passed near the 
ishmd of Madeira, and the Azores, and returned 
by the banks of Newfoundland and cape Sable, 
He made 7 captures and 1 recapture ; and chased 
two British frigates, one of them the Belvidera. 
This cruise was of great benefit, as it compelled 
the enemy to concentrate his force, by which a 
vast quantity of pro]?erty was saved from falling 
iiito the enemy's hands. 

On the day after the commodore sailed, the 
foliov.'ing appeared in the New- York Colum- 
bian, and accounts for the escape of his Britan- 
nic majesty's vessels of vv'ar, Belvidera and Tar- 
tarus, which had been for some days oil' Sandy 
Hook. 

" It is undoubtedly a fict, that dispatch-boats 
with information have been sent off to the Brit- 
ish vessels which were cruising off the harbor, 
since the declaration of war. By v/hom they 
were sent off, it is not necessary at present to men- 
tion. But thisanuch may, and ought to be said^ — 
that if it was done by an American citizen, he has 
committed treason by the . laws of the United 
States, and deserves, and may receive a hanging 
for it. - There is no suspicion, however, enter- 
tained that such an infamous act has been done 
by any American, As it has thex'eforo been the 



5S H [STORY OF THE WAR. 

act of tlie subjects of the l^irsg of England, whe- 
tber they are in or out of ofiice, the act is a 
violation of the hospitality which tolerates their 
residence in our city, and calls loudly upon the 
constituted authorities to put the laws imine- 
diatelv in force against pJien enemies, and to rid 
the city of spies, or at least of such as disgrace 
their character by acting in so infamous a ca- 
pacity." 

It is however a lamentable fact, that the ene- 
my had his adherents within the United States, 
consisting of native citizens as well as of for- 
eigners. The public were apprized of the in- 
famous and cowardly means used by the British 
to corrupt the citizens by the agency of hired 
incendiaries, among whom ftie notorious Jc/m 
Henry was conspicuous. . The first effusions of 
the press were watched with care, and the citi- 
zens indignant at the conduct of the British gov- 
ernment, which rendered war not only neccssar}', 
but unavoidable, were ready to construe every 
opposition to government, into an act of adhesion 
to the enemy. The spirit of 1776 seemed to re- 
vive ; and the term.s " Whig" and " Tory" were- 
again coming into use. The party which desig- 
nated itself as " Federal," v.-as long opposed to 
the officers of the general government; and were 
in the practice of condenming, opposing, and 
thvrarting all its measures. This party, to be 
consistent, also opposed the war. — There was an- 
other party opposed to v/ar, merely because it 
mu.t prove injurious to England ; this was pro- 
pei'ly a British tory paity, and should be distin- 
guished from those federalists, who, notwithstand- 
ing their opposition to mea, were yet Am.ericans. 
The tory endeavoured to screen himself beneath 
the semblance of federalism ; and the federalist, 
who could weakly lend the mask, should not cowi'- 
plaija if both should be mistaken for torieg. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. $9 

There were several editors of federal politics 
who deserved and received the applauj»e ot tiieir 
political opponents for conduct pursued immediate- 
ly subsequent to the declaration of war. The 
following extract from a federal paper deserves 
particular notice.- 

^rom the United Slates Gazette, printed at 
Philadelphia, 

" The people of this country, whatever raay b3 
their opinions of this incomprehensible war, de- 
mand, and will insist, that it be now carried on 
with tlie vigour necessary to accomplish the ob- 
ject of all war, — honor while it lasts, and real 
peafce and security when it ends." 

A paragraph of a seemingly different complex- 
ion, appeared immediately after the declaration 
of war, in the Federal Republican, printed at 
Baltimore, and edited by Mr. Wagner. It wa» 
in the following words : 

" We mean to represent in as strong colours as 
we are capable, that the war is unnecessary, inex- 
pedient, and entered- into from partial, personal, 
and as we believe, motives bearing upon their 
front marks of undisguised foreign influence which 
cannot be mistaken. We mean to use every- 
means of constitutional argument, and every legal 
means to render as odious and suspicious to the 
American people as they deserve to be, the pa- 
trons and contrivers of this highly impolitic and 
destructive war, in the fullest persuasion that we 
shall be supported and ultimately applauded by 
nine tenths of our countrymen, and that our si- 
lence would be treason to them." 

The citizens, in a state of high irritation, pro- 
ceeded, in the evening of the 22d June, to Mr. 
Wagner's printing olHce, which was destroyed. 
This procedure was folio Vv^ed by some rioting"; 



40 HISTORY OF TflE WAE. 

and the paper was removed to Georgetown, (Col.) 
where it continued to be printed. 

On the 7th July, an order was issued froirr the 
department of state of the United States, requiring 
all British subjects to register tlieir names, ages, 
places of residence, persons com])osing their fami- 
lies, &c. at the office of the marithal of the United 
States for the district in which such subjects resid- 
ed. This order was followed by others, directing 
alien enemies who were en.o-aired in foreign com- 
Mfierce, to remove from the vicinity of the sea or 
tide water. The information constantly conveyed 
to the enemy from the ports and harbours of the 
United States, was su})posed to render such a 
measure necessary. It v>ould ti^e much to the ho- 
nor of the citizens, if this treasonable intercoitrse 
with the enemy were confined to aliens ; subse- 
quent information obtained at the navy depart- 
ment of the United States, has sufficiently proved 
that seveiai profligate citizens have also held com- 
iinmicatio^i with and supplied the wants of the 
enemy. 

A cartel ship arrived in July, at Boston, from 
Halitax, and delivered on board the United 
States frigate Chesapeake, three seamen, formerly 
taken out of that frigate by the British frigate 
Leopard. 

It will be recollected that the Leopard attacked 
the Chesapeake in time of peace, while the latter 
was m'jsuspicious of an attack, and unprepared 
lor defence. The Chesfipeake was fire^d into, 
boarded, and these men taken by force from 
her. 

Remonstrance on the part of the United States 
was made to the British government, and redreirs 
demanded for this wanto^i breach of the laws of 
nations. The British government disavowed any 
agency in the act ; but yet pron)oted the comman- 
der of the Leonard; not to the vard-arm of a ship. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 41 

but to the command of a Tl-. Tho restoration 
of these men had been for some time promised by 
the British government ; it was pleasing to see it 
so soon effected after the declaration of war. 
Whether the war had any infl nonce in this trans- 
action, must be matter of conjecture, in which 
tlie reader will exercise his own opinion. 
■ This is not t1ie only instance in which war pro- 
duced a change to those Americans who were iin- 
}>re9sed and confined onboard British men of ^var. 
Several of them, having declined serving against 
their country, were sent to prison as prisoners of 
w^ar^ and became entitled to be liberated by ex- 
chano;e. This mode of treatins* them, after tlieir 
character as American citizens was ac!aiowlcdged, 
was certainly unjust ; they should have been fully 
released; not having been taken in time of war, 
or in arms, they were entitled to rank as non-com-» 
batants. 

On the 12th .July, Mr. Foster, the late British 
minister, and Mr. Barclay, late consul, departetl 
from the United States, at New York, on board 
the British flag of truce, Colibri. These gen- 
tlemen were much esteemed for their private a- 
miabie qualities. 

The first British victory over tlie A^merican fleet, 
ha;>pened on the 20th July. On this day, the U- 
nited States' schooner Nautilus, lieutenant C"an.o, 
fell in with a fleet of the enemv, and was ca]jiurcd 
after a cfiasc of ei^ht hoars. No honor w^as lost 
by the Ainericanr!. on this occasian ; the vast dis- 
parity of force rendered resistance as imprudent 
as il would be unavailing. The brave command- 
er's svv'ord was returned b}'' tho British cilicer, 
Com. Brookes, as an acknovvlcdgment of the skill 
and bravery v/ith v/hich he endeavoured to save 
his ship. Lieut. Crane and his crew were after- 
wards honorably acquitted? by a court of Incpiry^ 
of all censure in the loss of the Nautilus. 

D 2 



42 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

On the 27th of this same month, the frigate Con- 
stitution, captain Hull, cliased a British frigate in- 
to a British fleet, and was chased in turn'bj the 
enemy, consisting of a sliip of the line, four fri- 
gates, a brig and a schooner. The chase continu- 
ed 60 hours. The Constitution arrived safe hi 
Boston. The great address by whicli captain 
Hull saved his ship, drew forth the admiration of 
the enemy, and the applause of his countrymen. 

It was the wish of the Americans, as they aJso 
endeavoured in a former v/ar, to induce the In- 
dians to be neutral. Humanity and civilization 
plead in favour of a principle which would not 
add savage barbarity to the other evils of war ; 
but unfortunatel3^, the policy of a "magnanimous'* 
enemy was different. The Americans soon learn- 
ed that the enemy had leaf^ued himself with the 
ruthless savage of the w-ilderness ; the known war- 
fare of the tomaliawk and scalping-knife was to 
act in concert with the modern invention of rock- 
ets ; in short, all means within the power of the 
enemy, were to be combined against the people of 
the United States. 

The first act in which the allied Indians and 
British signalized themselves, was in the taking of 
the fort of Michilim.ackhiac, ^n the 17th of July, 
1812, not being apprized of the declaration of 
war. The garrison consisted of 63 men, and 47 
on board tv/o vessels in the harbour. 1 he allies 
consisted of about 700. 

The probability of an approaching war had de- 
termined the United States' government to station 
a competent force in tlie Michia'an territory, for 
the protection of the inhabitants airainst the in- 
cursion ot the enemy, as well as tor the purpose of 
acting offensively, if . such should be deemed 
prudent. -General Hull had been at the seat of 
govex'nment in the spring previous to the deciara- 
tioii of wai'a where be made in'ranirernents for con- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 45 

ducting a force to Detroit. He accordingly pro- 
ceeded, and beino- joined by the 4th United States' 
regiment, 1200 Ohio mihtia, and other troops, in 
all about 2500 men, he reached the rapids of the 
Miami of the lake, about the last of June. The 
general put on board a vessel the baggage and 
hos'3ital stores of the armv, with an officer and SO 
liien, with directions to sail for Detroit. The Bri- 
tish, having been apprized of the declaration of 
war, captured the vessel at Fort Maiden, mouth 
of Detroit river; and thus the army suftered a 
serious loss. 

On the eveninjT of the 12th Julv, jxeneral Hull 
crossed the river Detroit, which divides the Unit- 
ed States' territory of Michigan from the British 
province of Upper Canada, and fixed liis head- 
quarters at the town of Sandwich, about two miles 
within the British province. From this place he 
published a proclamation, of which the foiiowing 
is a copy : 

BY WILLIAM FIULL, 

Brigadier General and Commander af the North 
Western army of the United States : 

A PROCLAMATION. 

Inhabitants of Canada, 

After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the 
United States have been driven to arms. Tlio 
injuries and aggressions, the insults and indignities 
of Great Britain, have once more left them no 
alternative but manlj resistance or unconditional 
submission. Tlie army under my command has 
invaded your country; tlie standard of the Union 
now v/aves over the territory of Canada. To the 
peaceable unoiicnding inhabitants, it brings nei- 
ther danger nor difriculty. I come to find ene- 
mies, not to make them. I come to }^'otect, not 
to injure you. 

Separated by an immense ocean and an ex- 



m HISTOPtY OF THE WAR. 

tensive wilderness from Great Britain, you have 
no participation in her councils, no interest in 
her conduct. You have felt her tyranny; you 
have seen her injustice; but I do not ask you 
to avenge the one, or to redress the other. The 
United States are sufficiently powerful to afford 
every security, consistent with their rights anfl 
your expectations. I tender you the invaluable 
blessiug of civil, political, and religious liberty, . 
and their necessary result, individual and general 
])rosperity; that liberty which gave decision to 
our councils, and energy to our conduct in a- 
struggle for independence, which conducted us.> 
safely and triumphantly through the stormy pe- - 
riod of the revolution — the liberty which has rais- 
ed us to an elevated rank among the nations of 
the vv^orld ; and which afforded us a greater mea- 
snre of peace and security, of wealth and im- 
provement, tlian ever fell to the lot of any peo- 
ple. In the name of my country, and the author- 
ity of government, 1 promise you protection to 
your persons, pro})erty and rights ; remain at 
your homes; pursue your peaceful and customary 
avocations; raise not your hands against your bre- 
thren. Mauy of your fathers foucht for the free- 
dom and independence we now enjoy. Being 
children therefore of the same family with us, . 
and heirs to the same heritaiie. tlie arrival of an 
army of friends must be hailed by you with a 
cordial welcome. You v.ili be emancipated 4Voni 
tyranny and oi^pression, and restored to the dig- 
niiied station of freedom. Had I any doubt of- 
eventual- success, I might ask your assistance; but 
1 do not. I come "preparetl for every contin- 
gency ; I have a force whicli wiU break down 
all opposition, and that force is but the van- 
guard of a much greater. If, contrary to 3'oiu' 
own interest, and the just expectations of my 
country, you should take part in the approacliing 



KISTORY OV THE WAR 45 

contest, you v/ill be considered and treated as 
eiieniies, and the horrors and calamities of war 
will stalk before von. If the barbarous and sa- 
vage policy of Great Britain be pursued, and the 
savages are let loose to murder our citizens, and 
butcher our women and children, this w^ar will 
be a war of extermination, 'llie first stroke of 
the tomahav>av — the first attempt with the scalp- 
ing-knife, vviil be the signal of one indiscriminate 
scene of dep.clation. No wdiite man found fight- 
ing by the licie of an Indian will be taken prison- 
er — instant death will be his lot. If the dictates 
of reason, duty, justice, and hum.anity, cannot 
prevent the employment of a force wiiich respects 
no rights, and know^s no wrong, it will be pre- 
vented b}^ a severe and relentless s^^stem of retalia- 
tion. I doubt not your courage an.d firmness; 
I v/ill not doubt your attachment to liberty. If 
you tender j^our services voluiitai'lly, they will be 
accepted readily. The United States offer vou 
peace, liberty and security. — Your choice lies be- 
tween these and war, slavery and destr notion. 
Choose then; but choose wisely; and may He 
w^ho knows the justice of our cause, and who 
holds in his hand the fate of nations, guide yoH to 
a result the most compatible with your rights and 
interests, your peace and happiness. 
By the General, 

A. P. HULL. 
Captain of the 13th United States' regiment of 

lujantrij, and Aid- de-Camp, Headr-Qjiarters, 

Sandwich, Jidi/ 12, 1812. 

WILLIAM HULL. 

This proclamation was well calculated to in- 
spire confidence and secure the friendship of the 
C/anadians. The American troops were in high 
spirits, anxious to be led against the enemy's 
P|OSt at Fort Maiden. The British force, con- 
sisting of legulars, nulitia, and Indians^ w^as in- 



4-6 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

forior to the Americans, as appeared by the offi- 
cial comniiinication of the British general Brock 
to his government. The moment seemed favour- 
able to strike an important, perhaps a decisive 
blow. The Indians, except a few of whom had 
joined the Briti^li, remained neutral, watching 
with their usual sagacity, until they could dis- 
cover on what side victory was likely to perch; 
nearly all the Canadian militia had deserted; the 
time of attacking Fort Maiden was determJned on 
at a council of field officers, and preparation* 
commenced for advancino- to the attack, when, 
by an unexpected order, the plan of attack was 
abandoned, and Canada evacuated, shamefully 
leaving to their fate the Canadians v^ho had joined 
the American standard. 

This gave time to the enemy to be reinforc- 
ed, and it soon was rumoured in the American 
camp that the commanding officer intended to^ 
surrender his army in the event of an attack by 
the enemy. This seemed so unaccomitable at a 
time when superiority of force was on the Ameri- 
can side, that the officers had resolved, in the 
event of the -rumour being well founded, to di- 
vest the general of his command. The execu- 
tion of this plan was prevented by the absence of 
twQ commanding officers of regiments who were- 
ordered on detachments. The British being re- 
inforced by about 400 men, and the Indians be- 
coming more decided, general Brock advanced 
and took a position opposite to Detroit, where, 
without interruption, he established a small bat- 
tery. 

On the 15th August, the town of Detroit was 
summoned to surrender, which being refused, a 
firing began froip the British batteries, which was 
returned by the Americans, and continued, with 
little effiict, until night. At day-light on the 16th, 
the firing recommenced on both sides, the ene- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 47 

m\ commenced the landjnir of trooDs below De- 
troit, which beiiig soon effected, they marched in 
close columns of platoons, twelve in front, towards 
the fort of Detroit. 

Against this body of troops not a shot was fir-- 
ed, although it advanced in a situation within the 
range of the American cannon. When the Brit- 
ish reached within 100 yards of tiie American 
line, orders were given by Gen. Hull for the 
troops to retreat to tjie fort ; and soon after, the 
.fort was surrendered, and the American army be- 
came prisoners of war. 

By a proclamation immediately issued by the 
British commander, gen. Brock, it appears that 
general Hull had also surrendered the territory 
of Michigan. 

This v/as a severe and unexpected blow against 
dhe Americans. It gave rise to a court-martial 
on the conduct of L^eneral Hull, which will be 
noticed m its proper place; it, in a great degree, 
.ilestroyed the confidence the Canadians had in 
the government and arms of the United States; 
it determined the Indians to take part witii the 
enemy; and led not only to a prolongation of 
the war, but to many, or perhaps all of tlicse 
savage acts of murder, in which the Indians were 
subsequently engaged, against the citizens of the 
Xmited S unites. 

General Hull, in his official account, states, 
that at the time the enemy advanced against De- 
troit, he could not brin<i: into the jiieid more than 
600 men, that tlie regular force of the eneni^', 
then advanciuix, was much more tjian that num- 
ber, and tvt^ice that number of Indians. 

An official letter from colonel Cass, who had a 
^command under general Hull, put the business in 
a quite different light, concluding with the follow- 
ing paragraph : 

♦M was informed by general Hull, the morning 



48 HISTORY OF _ THE WAR. 

after the capitulation, that the Britisii forces con- 
sisted of 1800 regulars, and tliat he surronderea 
to prevent the effusion of human blood. — That lie. 
magnified their regular force nearly five-fold, there 
tan be no doubt. Whether the philanthropic 
reason assigned by him is a sufficient justification 
for surrendering a fortified town, an army and a 
territory, is for the government to determine. 
Confident I am, that had the courage and conduct 
of the general been equal to the spirit and zeal of 
the troops, the event would have been as brilliant 
and successful as it now is disastrous and dishono- 
rable." 

The British official account is positive as to the 
inferiority of tlie enemy's force. 

A few" days bef(:)re the surrender of Detroit, 
major Van Horn, of colonel Findkj's regiment 
of Ohio Volunteers, was detached with about 200 
men to proceed to the river Raisin, to reinforce 
captain Brush, who, witli a company of Ohio Vo- 
hmteers, were escorting p'ovisions for the army. 
At Brownstown, a large party of Indians formed 
an ambuscade, and the major's detachment receiv- 
ed a heavy fire at a few yards from tlie enemy. 
The whole detaclunent retreated in great disorder; 
and could not, by any exertion of major Van 
Horn, be rallied. — On" this occasion, there were 
7 officers and 10 privates killed, besides a consi- 
derable number wounded. 

Before the return of major \^an Horn, another 
detachment consisting of 600 men, under the com- 
mand of lieutenant colonel Miller was ordered to 
proceed to the river Raisin, to open the conmiuni- 
cation to the river, and protect the provisions 
which were under the escort of caj^taln Brush. 
Lieutenant colonel Miller marched from Detroit 
on the 8th August; and on the 9th about fi o' Clock 
in the afternoon, the van guard commanded hy 
captain Swelling of the 4th United States regi- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, 4y 

ment, was fired upon by an extensive line of In- 
dians and British at the lower part of Magnago, 
about 14 miles from Detroit. Captain Snclling 
maintained his ground in a most gallant manner, 
under a heavy fire, until the arrival of the main 
body under lieutenant colonel Miller, when the 
general attack was made on the enemy, who was 
compelled to retreat before the Americans. The 
rout continued until fatigue and the approach of 
night rendered it necessary to desist from further 
pursuit. 

A short time previous to the surrender of De- 
troit, a provisional agreement was entered into by 
general Dearborn, and colonel Baynes, the Bri- 
tisn adjutant -general, that neither party should act 
olfensively before the decision of the American 
government should be taken on the subject. This 
suspension oi hostilities was grounded on a letter 
ironi Sir Oeorge Prevost, Governor of I^owcr 
Canada, to general Dearborn, suggesting the pro- 
bability of a general suspension of hostilities in 
consequence of a proposed suspension or repeal of 
the British orders in council, of which Mr. Foster, 
late minister to the United States had received ad- 
vices on his arrival at Halifax. Whether gover- 
nor Prevost seriously believed all which he repre- 
sented, or that the suspension of hostilities, which 
did no»- include the o^ierationis at Detroit, was in- 
tended to favour the British army in that quarter, 
cannot now be determined ; it, however, enabled 
the British to reinforce general Brock, and proba- 
bly contributed to the i'aii of Detroit. The Ame- 
rican governmejit, viewing the British })roposition 
as coming in an indirect manner, offering no sa- 
tisfactorv securitv for its observance, and adherinof 
with little variation to their foiiuer pretences, did 
not hesitate to disagree to the proposal. The ar- 
mistice terminated on the Sth September. 
The disgraceixil surrcjider of Detroit was, in some 



$0 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

degree, to be compensated for, by the bravery of 
American seamen. On the 19th August 1812, 
the American frigate Constitution, captain Isaae 
Hull, fell in with his Britannic majesty's frigate 
Guerricre,, captain J. R. Dacres, in lat. 40. 20 N. 
Ion. 55 W. ; and after a severe action of SO mi- 
nutes, during which the Americans dig}}iaycd great 
superiority in tactics and courage, the British ship 
surrenderocL 

The Gucrriercr suffered so much in her r'gging 
and hull, and was so entirely disabled, that it was 
found impossible to tow her into port, she was of 
course burnt, by order of captain Hull, as soon 
as the prisoners were remov<?d. 

The Guerriere had been formerly a prench 44; 
but w'as rated only as.SS.; she carried 49 guns. 

The Ibllowing official account of her capture 
from the French by the British naval captain 
Lavie, places this point in an indisputable view, 
as the advocates of Britain, sorely hurt by this 
proof of the superiority of American naval tac- 
tics, endeavored to misrepresent the relative size 
and force of the American and British frigates. 

From Caj^t. Lavie to Lord Keith. 

Blanche, Yarmoutk, Jul?/ 26, ISOd, 
'^ My Lord — I have the honor to acquaint ~yoii 
af my return to Yarmouth .tp-day, having in com- 
pany the Guerriere frigate, commanded by M'o3> 
&iear Hubert, of the Legion «i' Honour, whom 1 
captured on the i9th inst. in long. 62, off the Faro 
Islands, after a sharp contest of 45 minutes. 

" Le Guerriere is of the largest Class of frigates, 
mounting fifty guns, with a complement of Sij 
men, but ihey were very soon sac^iy reduced by 
©ur destructive fire, and the ship has also sufterejd 
very severely, v/hi!e the damages of the Blanche 
were coiiiined to the topmasts, rigging and sailg, 

** THOMAS LAVIE," 



HISTORY OF TPIE WAR. Si 

The follow ins: is a return of the killed and 
Wounded : 

On board the Constitution, one lieutenant of 
marines and six seamen — Total kirled 7. Two 
ofHcers, four seamen and one marine — Total 
wounded 7. Total killed and wounded 14. 

On board the GuerrJere, killed 15, wounded 
63j missing 27- — Total 105. 

Her navy was the cliicf boast of England, and 
on it was her chief reliance; yet she was destined 
to meet lier gi'eatest nvoutids and disasters on the 
v/atery element. 

On the 17th July, the British appeared before 
Sackett's Harbour, with the Royal George of 24 
guns, the Prince Regent of 22, Elmira of 20, 
Seneca of 18, and another armed vesseL A mes- 
S^ge was sent ashore demanding the surrender of 
the American vessel of war the Oneida; and also 
the late Bi-itish schooner Nelson, seized for a 
breach of the revenue laws. A compliance with 
this demand being peremptorily refused, the ene- 
my advanced within gun-shot. A firing begun 
fi'om a 32 pounder ashore, and w^as returned by 
the squadron which stood off and on. A bri^k 
cannonading was continued for more than two 
hoars, when a shot from the 32 pounder having 
raked the flag ship of the enemy, as she was wear- 
ing to give another broadside, the squadron fired 
ft thw guns and bore away for Kingston, the citi- 
zens greeting them with the good old tune of 
" Yankee Doodle," from all the music at the post. 
The British shipping appeared to be much injur- 
ed. — Not a man lost on the American side. 

The steadiness of tlie American troops, and th« 
alacrity with which the neighbouring detachmeals 
and volunteers, to the amount of nearly 3000, as- 
iembled for the protection of this important post, 
was, at this early stage of the war, a pleasing pre- 
sage of what might be hereafter expectedj when 



52 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

men would become raore inured to danger. Col. 
Bellinger commanded the American troops. Capt. 
Woolsey, who commanded the Oneida, having 
sailed from the harbour and reconnoitred the ene- 
my, returned and moored his vessel with a spring on 
her cable, near the battery ; and giving the com- 
mand of her to his lieutenant, he went ashore and 
took command of the 32 pounder, which, under 
Lis direction, did very considerable damage to th# 
enemy. 

The frigate Essex, Captain Porter, sailed on a 
cruise from New- York, on the 3d of July, and ar- 
rived in the Delaware on the 7th September. On 
the 13th August, the Essex fell in with the British 
sloop of war Alert. The Alert bore down and 
commenced an action, which lasted eight minutes ; 
ihe was much cut to pieces, and had seven feet 
water in her hold when she struck, and three men 
livounded. The Essex received no injury. 

Captain Porter having thrown the guns of the 
Alert overboard, dispatched her as a cartel to St. 
John's in Newfoundland, with about 500 prison- 
ers which he had taken in the Alert, and from 
other captured vessels. 

Governor Prevost, of Lower Canada, issued a 
proclamation, on the 19th September, by which 
all citizens of the United States are ordered to 
quit Canada by the 1 5th of October ; till which 
time they may depart with their moveable proper- 
ty, by permission of three of the council. After 
that time, every citizen of the United States 
lound in Canada, will be treated as a prisoner of 
war, unless he has taken the oath of allegiance, 

A considerable force having been assembled 
in the neighbourhood of the Niagara river, under 
the command of major general Stephen Van Rens- 
salaer, with the view, as was generally understood, 
of ejecting a descent upon tae British province of 



MISTORY OF THE WAR. 53 

Upper Canada, a strong and impatient desire 
was discovered among the troops to try their 
strength against tlie enemy. This gradually rose 
to such a heigltt, that resistance to it seemed 
scarcely, if at nil, possible ; patriotism was passing 
the limits of subordination. '* This, (says the ge- 
neral, in his official commanication to general 
Dearborn,) was expressed to me througji various 
channels, in the shape of an alternative ; that they 
must have orders to act, or, at all hazards, they" 
would go hornet • 

Impelled by this consideration, the general made ' 
dispositions for the intended attack on tlie British^ 
post at the heights of Queenstown. Some inlbr- ■ 
ination gained from a person wlio was engaged to 
pass over to Canada, and who returned safe, seem- 
ed to v/arrant an attack, which, besides the imme- 
diate object, might have a controuling eiiect upon 
the movements at Detroit, where it vvas understood 
the British general Brock had gone, with all the 
force he could spare from the Niagara frontier. 

An intention to transport troops across the' 
river, on the morning of the 11th October, was 
frustrated through the means of a boatman, selec- 
ti^d fn- his skill and steadiness; but who, o-oin.cr 
ahead hi the extreme darkness, passed • tlie in- 
tended place far up the river, and there fastened 
his boat to the shore, and abandoned the detach- 
ment. In this iront boat nearly every oar belong- 
ing to all the boats were deposited. The expedition 
wai5,given up, and the detachment returned to camp. ^ 

Thiii circiua-.tance, so far from damping the slt- 
d6uTof the troops, seemed to give 'additional force 
to tlie desire of eri countering the enemy. A se- 
cond attempt was determined on. 

At dawn of day, on the 13 th of October, the 
troops commenced embarking under cover of a 
batter3\ The movement was soon discovered, and 
a brisk firing of musketry conmiciiced on the Ca- 

E 2 



Si HISTORY OF THE WAli; 

nada side, wliich was soon followed by a cannon- 
ade on the boats, the American cannon returning 
t'le fire. Col. Van Rensselaer, with 100 men, ef- 
fected a landing, and coolly advanced in the face 
of a tremendous fire, during which the colonel re- 
ceived four wounds, which prevented that nseful 
exertion he was so willing to make. Col. Christie, 
'vi'ith his detachment, landed some time after. Col. 
Tan Renssalaer, although scarcely able to standi 
^ordered his men to storm the fort, v/hich service 
v/as gallantly performed. Reinforcements having 
arrived to both parties, the conflict became se- 
Tere and general ; the enemy soon retreated, and 
the rout was followed up with great spirit by the 
Americans. Victory appeared complete. Tl:e 
enemy, at this moment, received a reinforceri^nt 
of several hundred Indians from Chippawa, and 
commenced a furious attack, but were promptly 
met and routed by the rifle and bayonet. 'I he 
general observing a hesitation in the embarkation 
of tlie troops, he passed over to accelerate their 
movements. Could the details of this day be 
here closed, all would be honour, all would be glory 
to the American character. But it must be recor- 
ded — alas ! it cannot be concealed, that no per- 
suasion of the general could influence the remoin- 
ing troops to pass into the boats. A large rein- 
forcement from fort George, soon afterwards was 
seen coming up the river; this reinforcement o- 
biiqued to the right from the road, and formed a 
junction with the Indians in the rear of the 
heights. 

The boats were dispersed ; the boatmen had 
fled panic-struck. The American troops, thus si- 
tuated, maintained a most obstinate conflict for 
half an hour; when, exhausted of strength and 
ammunition, they were obliged to surrender. 
General Brock was slain, and his aid-de-camp 
mortally wounded. The whole number of Amer- 
icans engaged was about li>UO, of wliich £/00 were 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. H 

regulars and 700 militia. The militia were libera 
ated as prisoners on parole, not to serve during 
the war. 

Major general Van Rensselaer resigned the 
command of the army on the Ningara frontier, to 
brigadier general Smyth, on the 14lh October. 

On the 10th November, general Smyth pub- 
lished a proclamation from his camp near Buff aloe. 
As this document became the subject of much 
comment, it is given here in fulL It was in the 
following words : 



TO THE MEN OF NEVV-YOKK. 



For many years you have seen your country op- 
pressed with numerous wrongs. Your government, 
although above all others devoted to peace, have 
been forced to draw the sword, and rely for redress 
of injuries on the valour of the American people. 

That valour has been conspicuous. But the nation 
has been unfortunate in the selection of some of those 
who directed it. One army has been disgracefully 
surrendered and lost. Another has-been sacrificed 
by a precipitate attempt to pass it over at the strong* 
est point of the enemy *s hnes, v/ith most incompe- 
tent means. The cause of these miscarriages is ap- 
parent. The commanders were popular men, " des- 
titute alike of theory and experience" in the art of 
war. 

In a few days the troops under my command will 
plant the American standard in Canada. They are 
men accustomed to obedience, silence, and steadiness. 
They will conquor, or they will die. 

Will yOa stand with your arms folded, and look 
on this interesting struggle ? Are you not related 
to the men who fought at Bennington and Saratoga ? 
Has the race degenerated ? Or have you, under the 



56 HISTORY OF THE WA^- 

baneful influence of contending- factions, forgot j'oar 
country? Must 1 turn fyom you, and ask men of 
the six nations to support the government of the U- 
pited States? Shall I imitate the officers ot* the 
Britisfh king, and suffer, our ungathered laurds to 
be tarnished by ruthless deed*? Shame, where i? 
thy bkisli? — No ; where I command, the vanquished 
and the peaceful man, the child, the maid, and the 
matron, shall be secured from wrong. If we conquer, 
we will " conq'ier bat to save." 
Men of NciO' York I 

The present is the hour of'reliown. Have yau 
not a wish for fume? Would you not choose in fu- 
ture times to be named as one of those who, imitat- 
ing the heroes whom Montgomery led, have, in spite 
of tlie seasons, visited tlie tomb of the chief, and con- 
quered ■ tiie country where he lies ? Yes ; you de- 
su-e your share of fame. Then seize the pres'ent 
moment, if you do not, you will regret ft, and say, 
*' the valiant have bled in vain ; the friends of my r 
country feii, — and I was not there." 

Advance then to our aid. 1 will wait for you a 
few days. I cannot give you the day of my depar- 
ture. But come en. Come in companies, half corn* 
panies, pairs, or singly. I will orgjuiize you' for a 
short tour. Hide to this place, if the distance is far, 
and send back your horses. But remember tiiat every 
man who accompanies us, places himself under my 
coiMuiand, and shall submit to the salutary restraints 
of discipline. 

ALEX. SMYTH, 

Brig. Gen, ■> 

Camp, near Bitffajoe, Nov. 10, 1812. 

This proclamation had the eifect of bringing 
to the frontier a very considerable number of vo- 
luiiteers, men vvho lived the hardy life of farmers 
were accustoiiied to the woods, knew well the use 
of the riiie, and feared Indians as little as they did 
Englishmen. ' 

On tiie 1 7tli November, general Smyth issued 
a public address to his soldiers, preparatory to an 



'3 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 57 

immediately intended entrance into the enemy's 
territory. The sentiments contained in this ad- 
dress are noble, humane and soldierly. From 
such a general and such an army, the public ex^ 
pected a very successi'ul campaign. 

Their hopes were not to be realized. Twice 
the troops embarked and as often disembarked. 
Public opinion, hitherto on the side of general 
Smyth, now began to veer. His courage, as 
well as his patriotism, was questioned; censure 
was followed by insult and menace. The project 
of invasion was finally abandoned. The volun- 
teers were dismissed, and the army ordered into win- 
ter quarters. Thus ended the operations, for this 
season, of the army of the centre. 

General Smyth justified himself on the grounds 
that he had directions not to pass over with less 
than 3000 men ; that he could not prevail on more 
fhan 1500 men to embark; and that an attack on 
the enemy, under such circumstances, was con- 
trary to the opinion of a council of his officers. 
" My orders," says the general in reply to a com- 
mittee from the patriotic citizens of the western 
counties of New-York, " were to p{»ss into Canada 
with 3000 men at once. On the first day of em- 
barkation not more than 1400 men were embarked, 
of whom 400, that is, half of the regular infantry, 
were exhausted with fatigue and want of rest* 
On the second embarkation, only 1500 men were 
embarked, and these were to have put off imme- 
diately, and to have descended the river to a point 
where reinforcements were not to be expected. On 
both days, many of the regular troops were men in 
bad health, who could not have stood one day*s 
march ; who, although they were on the sick re- 
port, were turned out by their ardent officers." 

This reply was dated 3d December. On the 8th 
of the same month, general Peter B. Porter gave 
aotice in the Buffuloe Gazette, that he would soua 



5« HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

piibUsb a " true account of some of the most pro- • 
)ni>ier.t transactions of these days." In his notice 
general Porter asciabes the faihire of the expedf-- 
tion to the cowardice of general Smyth. 

General Smyth must remain convicted, in the 
eyes of the world, of falsehood and cowardice, if 
he continued passive under such charges — Modern 
chivalry fx)inted out the course which must be pur- 
sued. Genornl Srn\th sent a challenge to general 
Porter, which the latter accepted. 

The [larties passed over to Grand Island, on the 
3Sth December; a shot was exchanged, in an 
intrepid manner, but without effect, when, on 11x3 
suggestion of general Smyth's second, a mutual ■ 
explanation and reconciliation took place ; and the 
parties separated*. 

General Porter, on the following day, deliver-- 
ed the promised statement of transactions, to th«' 
editor of the Buffaloe Gazette, in which paper it 
accordingly appeared. 

The statement is plain and satisfiictory : and di- 
vested of that asperity, which was probably in- 
tended to accompany it. 

In this statement, it is represented, that, on the 
f7th November, there were collected in the neigh- 
bourhood of Niagara, 4500 effective men, that 
the vessels collected for the purpose, were suffi- 
cient for the transportation of 3.550 men ; that the 
number of men actually embarked were estimated 
to consist of between 2000 and 2600 ; that about 
2000 more men were paraded on shore, seemingly 
ready to cross; that several boats, of sufficient capar-- 
city to carry about 1000 men, were still lying un- 
occupied; and that the enemy, estimated at about 
500 men, were drawn up in a line, at about half 
a mile from the river. 

As a proof of what could be effected, had the^^ 
men been permitted to pass over, general Porter^* 
states the bravery and success with which a detach- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 5§ 

snent which crossed over by direction of general 
Smyth, accomplished its mission; having com- 
pletely rojjted the enemy, spiked his ciunKH"., and 
taken several prisoners/ " Out of 12 naval ofHcers, 
who embarked in this enterprize, nine of them, 
(says general Porter) v/ith more than half their 
men, v/ere jdlled or wounded." 

General Smyth, in a letter to the editors of the 
National Intelligencer, dated 28 tb Jan uarj-, 181S, 
refutes the statement of general Porter. '' I affirm 
(says genera] Smyth) that on the 27th NoYember, 
there were collected in the neighbourhood of Black 
Eock, not more than 3500 efiectiveiiien, non-com- 
missioned officers, and privates, of every corps 
under my command ; not more than 1500 of those 
were liable to be ordered to cross the Niagara, ac- 
cording to opinions generally received. On the 
21st, there were 1050 good troops embarked, and 

iilso as many irregular volunteers as occupied five 
boats, estimated at 150. On-the morning of the 
first December, the number of men armed with 
muskets, who were at the navy-yard, e^nbarkcd 

•or not embarked, did not exceed 2000 men" 

In this refutation, general Smyth insinuates that 

.general Porter, acting as contractor to the arm v, 
was not prepared to supply the necessary ratiohs, 
having on the 30th November only S5 barrels of 
flt^uron hand, "not tv^o pounds of tlour to each 
man." — "The hostility of general Porter to myself 
(says general Smy til) grew out of the contract." 
While the expeditions thus progressed from ill- 

. design to its unavoidable consequence, unsuccess- 
ful termination, the miiior expeditions did hi;nour 
to the officers who commanded and the few men 
who were engaged in them. Among these the fol- 
lowing must not be omitted . 

The brigs Adams and Caledonia, which were 
surrendered to the enemy by general Hull, at Dc- 

^troit, having arrived and luiVnored- under the Bri- 



60 HISTORY OF THE WAR, 

tish fort Erie, captain Elliot determined on m\ at- 
tempt to regain them. Having made the necessa- 
ry dispositions, he advanced at one o'Clock in the 
morning of the 9th October, having under hts 
command 100 men in two boats; at '3 o'Clock he 
was along side the vessels; in 10 minutes they were 
under way, and the prisoners secured. An unfa- 
vorable wind obliged them to run down the river, 
by the forts, under a heavy fire of round, grape, 
and cannister shot, from a number of pieces of 
heavy ordnance and flying artillery; and he was 
compelled to anchor about 400 yards from one of 
their batteries; the Caledonia being got into a safe 
position, a fire was returned from the guns of the 
Adams as long as ammunition lasted. It being 
found impossible longer to withstand the fire of the 
enemy, which would probably sink the vessel in a 
short time, he was compelled to cut the cable and 
drift down the river out of the reach of the batter- 
ies, but remained still exposed to the flying artil- 
lery; having thus dropt astern for about 10 mi- 
nutes, and being deserted by the pilot, he w as 
brought up on the shore of Squaw Island. From 
this place he sent the prisoners onshore with much 
difficulty; and, having himself passed from the 
brig to the shore, he soon discovered that about 
40 soldiers had crossed in a boat from the British 
side, and boarded the brig ; but they were soon 
compelled to abandon her with the loss of nearly 
all their men. During the v.hole of the raorning,j 
both sides of the river kept up alternately a con- 
tinual fire on the brig, and so much injured her 
that it was impossible to have floated her — «he was 
of course destroyed. 

Major Young having command of the Troy 
militia at French mill, on the St. Regis river, pro- 
ceeded to the village of St. Kegis, where the ene- 
my had landed with a view to establish himself in 
force, and yigoi^ously attacked hinv at ^ o'clc'ck 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 61 

oJi the morning of 22d October; one stand of co- 
lours, forty jjrisoners, with their arms, equip- 
ments, &c. were the fruits of this spirited and well 
conducted expedition. This was the first standard 
taken from the enemy, in the present war. The 
party returned safe to their camp without Ijaving 
a man hurt. The enem.y lost 4 killed, and one 
mortally wounded. 

The movements of the enemy, duving ilve&e 
times, were not to them equally honorable or im- 
portant. 

An attack of the enemy on tlie village of Og- 
densburg was defeated. The enemy had 1000 
men, the Americans only 400. This happened 
on the 2d October. 

On the 3d October, the British brig R,oyal 
George went into the Gc^.iessee river, and cut out 
the schooner Lady Murray and a revenue cutter. 
There was no force tiien there, that could resist 
the enemy. 

The national pride had been already highly^ 
gratified by success on the ocean ; the public eye 
\vas anxiously directed to that element, in expec- 
tation of furtiier glory. The public hope vras not 
to be disappointed. 

^At day -light, on the ISth October, about the 
lat. of 37 dog, north, and ion, '65 deg. west, cap- 
tain Jacob Jones, commanding theljoited 8tat.es' 
J^ioop of war Wasp, of 18 gnus, got sight of ^i 
jBritish convoy of six large armed merchant ships 
under protection of the Briti. li sloop of war Fro- 
lic, commanded by captain Whinveates. A sW^ 
tiM was made by tlie frolic for the Heet to disperse. 
At 30 minutes past eleven A. M. an engagement 
commenced between the two sloops, at a short dis- 
tance, and continued until the vessels v/ere so close 
that the rammers of the V/ci^p were, while load- 
ing the last broadside, shoved against the side of 
the enemy. The Froile v.^as boarded oaiicr fordr 

-F 



&2 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

castle, and inimediatelv surrendered. I'he man- 
iier ill which tins engageiTjent was maintained was 
hiolilv honorable to the x\niericans. Ilie Frolic 
jTioiinted 22 guns; sixteen of them 32 pound car- 
ronadcs, and tour twelve }X)unders on the main 
deck, and two twelve pounders, carronades. on tiie 
top-oallant forecastle, making her superior in force 
to the Wasp, by four 12 pounders. On board 
the Wasp, there were five killed, and five wound- 
ed. The exact loss of the enemy could not be 
ascertained, as many of the dead lay buried under 
the masts and s})ars that had fallen u]ion the deck, 
which two hours exertion had not sufllciently re- 
moved. Lieutenant Biddle, who had charge of 
the Frolic, states, from what he saw, and i'toiri 
information from the oflicers, the nuniber of kil- 
led mui^t have been thirty; that of the wounded, 
about forty or fifty. 

Hie Wasp gullered so much in iliis action, that 
both masts fell on tlie deck a few minutes after sepa- 
rating from the Frolic ; every brace and most of 
the rioainfj had been shot away duriufr the action. 

In this state, she nearly remained, when, in 
two hours after the action, the British ship Poic- 
tiers, of 74 guns, hove in sight; and, scon after 
took possession of the tvvo sloops, and ordered 
them for Bermuda. 

The captain of the Frolic, in his official letter 
to admiral Warren, states that every officer was 
wounded, and the greater part of the men either 
killed or wounded; there not being twenty persons 
remaining unhurt. 

The following resolution of the Common Coun- 
cil of Nevv-York, will show the high light in which 
they held captain Jones and his crew: 

licsolociL That an elegant Sword be presented 
to captain Jones, late of the United States' sloop 
of war Wasp, and also the freedom of this city, 
as a testimony of the high opinion this Corpora- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 63 

tlon entertain of liis ffnllant conduct in capturing 
the British sloop of war Frolic; and that the 
thanks of the Common Council be presented to 
his brave officers and crew. 

The United States' frigate United States, cap- 
tain Stephen Decatur, being on a cruise, ,fell' in, 
on the 25th October, 18V2, with his Britannic 
Majesty's frigate Macedonian, captain J. S. Car- 
den, in lat. 29 I^. Ion. 29 30 W. and, after an ac- 
tion of an hour and a half (17 nnnutes of v/hich 
was in close action) tlie British^ frigate was cap- 
tured. The Macedonian was of the largest class 
of British frigates, two years old, but lour months 
out of dock, and mounting 49 guns, (the odd one 
shifting.) This engagement gave another indis- 
putable proof of the superiority of American dis- 
cipline and gunner)^ 

The loss on both sides were as follows : 

On board the United States, 2 seamen, 2 ma- 
rines, 1 boy — Total killed, 5. 

Wounded, 1 lieutenant, 1 carpenter, 4 seamen, 
1 marine — Total wounded, 7 ; of whom lieuten- 
nant Funk and John Archibald died of their 
wounds. 

On board the Macedonian, there were 36 kil- 
led, and 68 wounded ; 36 of whom severely. 

By the muster roll of the Macedonia?!, it ap- 
peared that there were seven impressed Americans 
on board, during the action, two of whom were 
killed. 

The United States and Macedonian arrived oft* 
Montaug Point on the 4th December; but were 
prevented from reaching New- York before the 
tirst day of the new year, 1813. 

On the arrival of captain Hull, at New-York, 
he was presented by the corporation of the city, 
with the freedom of the city, in a gold box. As 
soon as captain Hull entered the council chamber, 
conducted by aldermen Fish and Mesier, and 



04. HISTORY OF TH£ WAR. 

general Morton, he was addressed by his honour 
l)e Witt Clinton, mayor of the city, in an ap- 
propriate speech. Captain Hull, with all tliat 
modesty so frequently allied to virtuous bravery, 
made a short but very becoming replj'. The cap- 
tain then took the freeman's oath, and retired, 
amidst an immense crowd, who filled the air with 
reiterated huzzas. On the following day, a splen- 
did naval dinner was given by the corporation to 
captain Hull, com. Decatur, and captain Jones, 
in testimony of the high sense entertained of the 
merits of these gentlemen. Nothing vras omitted 
to render this dinner truly descriptive of the oc- 
casion, and the feelings of the citizens. 

On the 9th. Jan. another dinner v.as given by the 
corporation to the crew of the United States. 
ITie seamen and marines, hiaving formed in pro- 
cession, proceeded from the place of landing to 
the city hotel, amidst the piaudits of thousands of 
citizens. On the arrival of the sailors, and they 
being seated, they were addressed by Mr. Vandci- 
bilt, with his usual energy and perspicuity. The 
boatswain made a short reply, expressive of the 
ffratitude of his shiDmates, and their wish for a 
further opportunity to prove their devotedncss to 
their country. At 6 o'clock the procession was 
re-form.ed, when they proceeded to the theatre, 
at the express wish and invitation of the manag- 
ers, who reserved the pit exclusively for their ac- 
commodation. The harmony of the day was not 
interrupted by a single irregularity. 

The enemy had some consolation, (if consola- 
tion it can be called,) by the capture, in Novem- 
ber, of tlic United States' brig of war Vixen, of 
14 guns, by his majesty's frigate Southampton, 
of 32 guns. 

On this occasion, the intrepid exertions of our 
tars, aided by their ofiiceis, were chiefly instrumen * 
tal in saving the movable property on board the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 



iii> 



frigate. So sensible was Sir James Yeo of the 
generous conduct of the American sailors, that he 
c^re^v them up on the island, and publicly thanked 
them in the warmest terms. 

Although a patriotic support of the war was the 
distinguishing feature of the public sentiment, yet 
there was a strange apathy too prevalent, whicU 
tended not a little to render its early stage im- 
propitious to the country. Something was ne- 
cessary to awaken the unrouscd loyalty of the 
people. Victory might have that effect ; per- 
il aps defeat was a more powerful agent. The 
defeat and surrender of general Hull so much 
disappointed the expectations excited by the ge- 
r.eral's proclamation, tliat it is impossible to de- 
pict the first effect. The mortificatiGn of disap- 
pointment, added to the serious loss of a fine army, 

threw a temporary gloom over the citizens. 

This soon gave way to resentment, and a deter- 
mination to wipe oif the '' foul stairi". The spi- 
rit of the nation rose, and that of 1 776 seemed to 
return. This sentiment, v/lilch pervaded a great 
proportion of the natioi], was most powerful in 
the western country. Ail ielt the necessity of 
immediate action ; Kentucky and Ohio may b.e 
said to have broken loose ; an army was ready, as 
if by magic, prepared to avenge the late dis- 
giace. A leader was wanting; all eyes looked, 
with a common impulse, towards tlie hero of Tip- 
pacanoe ; the united voice of the people called on 
the governor to dispense witli all formalities ; and 
Willi A3I Henry Harrison was appointed ma- 
jor-general, with directions to take command 
of the north-western army. This appointment 
was confirmed by the President of the United 
StatG*i, 

The exposed situation of the north -vrestern 
frontier, after the surrender of Flull, required the 
utmost exertions for its protection. It was not 

F 2 



m ' HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

possible entirely to avert the impending danger. 

The Indians had already commenced their sa- 
vage warfare by an attack on Fort Dearborn, and 
the massacre of its garrison. Fort Dearborn, 
(Chicago) was but a weak garrison, consisting of 
about 50 men ; there were also in it a few wo- 
men and children. A large body of Indians 
having menaced the fort, it was agreed in a coun- 
cil which was held with the faithless tribe, that 
the garrison should be spared, on condition of 
SHrrendering the place without resistance. They 
marched out on the 15th September; and when 
about a mile from the fort, were fired on, and mur- 
dered, with the exception of about 10 or 12, who 
escaped. 

Fort Belvicv/, (Madison) on the INIississippi, 
was attacked on the 4th Septeniber, by the In- 
dians, with all the desperation that a want of real 
courage could inspire. The attack was renewed 
daily until the 8th, when the Indians, after suffer- 
ing very severely, wididrew, leaving the brave garri- 
son safe. One soldier, who was out of the fort when 
the attack commenced, was massacred. No lives were 
lost in the foit, and only one man wounded. 

About 11 o'clock in the evening of the 4<th Sep- 
tember, Fort Harrison, in the Indiana territory, 
was attacked by a vast number of Indians. The 
garrison was weak, and the most of them, includ- 
ing its intrepid commander, c?pt. Z. Taylor, ei- 
ther sick or convalescent. The attack was con- 
tinued in a most furious manner, until about sun- 
rise the following morning, when the savages re- 
tired, driving away or shooting all the cattle they 
could find. 

• Several expeditions were formed against the In- 
dians, for the protection of the inhabitants, and 
keeping open the necessary communications. Col. 
Russell, with a tinall detachment of the Uniteel 
States' rangers, proceeded to the head of the Peori 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 67 

lake, where he destroyed the celebrated Pimer- 
tain's town. General Hopkins, with about 1200 
troops, left Fort Harrison on the 11th December, 
and succeeded in destroying several villages along 
the Wabash ; a party of 62, that left the camp in 
search of a man who was missing, fell in with a 
large force of horse and foot Indians : this party 
suffered a defeat, with a loss of 16, making, with 
the missing man, 1 7. General l\ipper defeated 
a numerous body of British and Indians, near 
the rapids of Miami; the difficulty of crossing 
the river, and want of provisions, obliged the ex- 
pedition to return, having lost 4 killed, and 1 be- 
ing wounded. Col. Campbell, with 600 men, at- 
tacked one of the Massissinewa towns, on the 17th 
and 18th December, and defeated the Indians af- 
ter a most desperate conflict; the American loss 
was 8 killed and 23 wounded ; the Indian town 
was burned. Col. John B. Campbell, on the 1 7th 
November, attacked the savages at a town on the 
Massissinewa, which he burned^ as well as three 
other towns further down the river, killing several, 
and takino' 37 prisoners. On the mornino- of the 
1 1 th Dec. his camp was attacked by about 300 
Indians, who were defeated, after an engagement 
of about three quarters of an hour. The loss of 
the Americans in these affiiirs was 9 killed, and 
about 35 or 40 wounded ; about 40 of the Indians 
v/ere killed. The Indians also suffered a defeat 
from colonel Williams, commanding the Tennes- 
see troops. 

Tliese actions were well calculated to inspire 
the Indians with a proper respect for the Ameri- 
cans ; and if followed up with continued success, 
would tend to estrange the savage enemy from his 
British ally ; but a sad reverse scon occurred. 

A detachment under the command of general 
Winchester, being attacked on the 22d Januar}^, 
at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, by a greatly 
superior force of Indians and British, aided by 



6S HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

several pieces of artillery, suffered a defeat. The 
Americans lost no honour on this occasion ; tliey 
defended themselves and fought with desperation, 
even bej'ond the time when prudence and honour 
would have sanctioned a Surrender. General 
Winchester, being liimself a prisoner, agreed to 
a surrender of the troops under his command, on 
condition that they ' should be protected against 
the savages, and allowed to retain theii' private pro- 
perty and side-arjns. — Thirty-five officers, and 490 
non-commissioned officers and privates were made 
prisoners; the number of killed was consider- 
able. 

The prisoners who were in health were marched 
to Maiden; the wounded were, contrary to the terms 
of capitulation, left at the mercy of the Indians. 
On the morning of the 23d, such of the wounded 
as were unable to travel were tomahawked and 
scalped. 

I'he Ibiiowing is a copy of the report of a 
committee of congress on this subject. 

*' The massacre of the 23d January, after the 
capitulation, was pei'petrated without any exertion 
on their part to prevent it ; indeed it is apparent, 
from all the circumstances, that if the British of- 
ficers did not connive at their destruction, they 
were criminally indifferent about the fate of the 
wounded prisoners. But what marks more strong- 
ly the degradation of the character of the British 
soldiers, is the refiisai of the last offices of hu- 
manity to the bodies of the dead. The bodies 
of our countrymen were exposed to every indig- 
nity, and became food for orutes, in the sight of 
men who affect a sacred regard to the dictates of 
honor and religion. — Low indeed is the character 
of that army which is reduced to the confession, 
that their savage auxiliaries will not permit 
them to perform the rites of sepulture to 
the slain. The committee have not been able 
to discover even the expression of detestation, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 69 

-which such conduct must inspire, from the mili- 
tary or civil authority on the Canadian frontier, 
unless such detestation is to be presumed from the 
choice of an Indian trophy as an ornament for 
the Legislative Hall of Upper Canada." 

At a meetinij of the officers who survived the 
battle of French-town, held at Erie, (Pa.) the 
20th February, 1813, the following statement and 
resolutions were agreed to. 

Whereas, it is deemed necessary that our fellow 
citizens should be informed of the late perfidious and 
brutal acts of the British government, performed by 
tjieir officers at the battle of Frenchtown. 

Resolved, Tiiat the follov/ing statement of the 
conduct of the British officers, be published to our 
countrymen : 

That when general Winchester was taken prison- 
er on the 22d January, 1813, and brouglit before col- 
onel Proctor, the British commander, he directed 
the commanding officer of the Americans (major 
Madison) to surrrender. Major Madison refused so 
to do, unless those who surrendered should be free 
from savage massacre ; this was agreed to ; and the 
British officers pledged themselves to have a sufficient 
force with the wounded to protect them, and that 
they should be con /eyed to Maiden the next morn- 
ing. They likewise promised to return to the officers 
their arms at Maldea. 

Capt. N. G. F. Hart, inspector to the north-western 
army, being among the wounded, it was proposed by 
his friends that they should carry him with them : this 
they were prevented from doing by capt Elliot, a 
British officer, and an old acquaintance of captain 
Plart's, who promised capt. H. his special protec- 
tion, to convey him in his own sleigh to Maiden 
that evening, and informing him that he should be 
welcome to remain at his house there, until he should 
recover. 

These were the promises of the British — let our 
countrymen and the world see how they were ful- 
filled. 



70 HISTORY or THE W^VR. 

At the break of day next morning, the savage* 
were suffered to cc.»mrait every dejjredation upon our 
wounded whicli they nleased. An indiscriminate 

4. A. 

slaughter took place of all who were unabie to walk ; 
many were tomahawked, and many were burned alive 
in tlie houses. Among the unfortunate thus murder- 
ed, it is Vy ith regret and sorrow we have ^o naine cap- 
tains Hart and Hickman. 

The arms of the officers, as promised, were never 
returned. Every species of private property remain- 
ing in the tents, belonging to both oiScers and sol- 
diers, vt^ere plundered by the savages. 

Resolved, That in consideration of the high respect 
vie hold to the memories of both officers and soldiers 
who were thus cruelly murdered, by permission of 
the British commander Proctor, and his subalterns, 
and those who gloriously fell in the field, defending 
the only free governmefif on earthy that each of us 
wear black crape on our hats and left arms for the 
space of ninty days. 

Ilesoived, That a similar procedure, testifying 
their respect for those who were murdered and ffll 
on that day, be recommended to our brother officer* 
and soldiers who survived it. 

SAMUEL WILLIAMS, President. 
John Beckley, Secretary. 

The little progress hitherto made by land a- 
gainst the enemy, had determined the congress 
and general government on adopting a more effi- 
cient plan of warfare. Several new appointments 
of officers were made; and commodore Chaun- 
cey was appointed to the command of the lake 
navy. 

The commodore sailed from Sackctt's Harbor 
on Lake Ontario ; on the 8th November fell in 
with and chased the Roval George until he lost 
sight of her in the night; on the following day 
renewed the chnse, and followed her into Kingston 
harbor, where he engaged her and the batteiies, 
for nearly two hours: at sundown he hauled off, 



HISTORY OF THE WAH, 71 

being obliged, by badness of the weather, to re- 
turn to Sacketl's Harbor. 

The Constitution iViiiate havino- undero-one e- 
very necessary repair, proceeded trom Boston on 
a. Sv3COiid cruise in October. On the 29th De- 
cember, lSi2, in south lat. 13. 6, and west ion. 
S8. tea leagues distai-t from the coast of Brazils, 
fell in widi and caotured his Britannic majesty's 
frigate Java, after an action of one hour and 55 
minutes. Tiie Java carried 49 guns, and upwards 
of 400 men, and v/as comuiancied by captain H. 
I^ambert, a brave and gullant officer. The Java 
was so perfect a wreck, that it seemed extremely 
donbtfui whether she could be brought to the 
(Jnited States, she was therefore burned in two 
da\s after being captured. 

The Java had been lately out of dock, havino* 
undergone a thorough repair, in order to carry 
out lieutenant general Hislop, who was going aa 
commander in chief to Bombay. Besides her 
full complement of men, the Java had upwards 
of 100 supernumeraries, going to British ships of 
war in the East Indies; also several officers, pas- 
sengers, going out on promotion. The number 
of men was considerably more than that of the 
Constitution. By her quarter-bill she had 
one man more stationed at each gun than the 
Constitution had. The loss on board the Consti- 
tution was' 9 killed and 25 wounded. The enemy 
had 60 killed and 101 vv-ounded; but by a letter 
written on board the Constitution by one of the 
officers of the Java, and accidentally found, it 
was evident that the enemy's wounded must have 
been considerably greater; the letter states 60 
killed and 170 wounded. This additional num- 
ber of wounded men have probablj' died, before 
they could be removed. Among the wounded on 
board the Constitution, was captain Bainbridge, 



72 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

the commander : captain Lambert, of the Ja\i\, 
was wounded mortally. 

General Hislop was immediately paroled, with 
the officers of his staff; and at the request of gene- 
ral Hislop, in a letter dated St. Salvador, Jan. 3, 
1813, all the officers of the Java were in like man- 
ner paroled. Commodore Bainbridge restored 
all the private property of gen. Hislop, including 
articles of plate to a large amount. 

The cor}X)ration of the city of New-York pre- 
sented commodore Bainbridge with the freedom 
of the city, on the 8th December, 1813. 

The following resolution was passed by the sc'- 
nate of Massachussetts, the 19th February. 

" Resolved, that the thanks of this Senate be given 
to commodore William Bainbridge, and the officers 
and crew of the frigate Constitution, under his com- 
mand, for their brilliant achievement in capturing and 
destroying his Britannic majesty's frigate Java; and 
that the commodore be requested to communicate 
the same to his officers and crew, with an assurance 
from this branch of the legislature, that they will 
hold in grateful remembrance those who fell in fight- 
ing for the essential and violated rights of their coua- 
try. 

Althoufrh it is a fact established bevond the 
power of contradiction, that every possible indul* 
gence and attention were exercised towards the 
crew of the Java, yet weie some of her officers so 
ungrateful as to charge the Americans with having 
ill-used the vanquished in a variety of wa}^. In 
reply to a publication in the British Navai Ciiro- 
nicJefor May, 1814, by Thomas Cook Jones, sur- 
geon of the Java, and anotlier ])ublication in tlie 
same paper, for June, by one of the lieutenants of 
the Java, charging tlie Americans with cruelty, 
&c. Mr. Amos A. Kvans, surgeon of the frigate 
Constitution, published in the Boston Chronicle, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. - 71 

a complete refutation of the British slander, con- 
cliuUnij with the following: words : 

'* I challenge the British to produce a solitarj'- ins- 
tance, where they have given a faithful and candid 
relation of the result of their actions with us, suice 
the declaration of the present war. They have of late 
established for themselves a khid of njitional charac- 
ter, that I trust none will envy them the possession 
of. They have proved, that although they may not 
always be able to conquer in battle, they can prevari- 
cate, defame, or mistake, with as much ease as any 
nation on earth " 

Commodore Rodgers sailed from Boston the 8tli 
Oct. 1812, on his second cruise, having under his 
command the frigate President ; the United States, 
capt. Decatur ; Congress, capt. Smith ; and brig 
Argus, capt. Sinclair. The President and Con- 
gress arrived at Boston in December. During: 
their cruise, they captured the British packet Swal- 
low, with 168,000 dollars on board, and the Bri- 
tish slii}> Argo, laden with oil and whalebone, both 
of which arrived some time before. They saw no 
enemy's cruisers but tlie Nj-mphe and Galatea, 
which they chased, but lost sight of in the night. 
The squadron have been as far east as long. 22, 
and to the south as flir as lat. 1 7 N. From the 1 st 
to the SOth November, they never saw a sail. On 
the 22d October, lying to in a gale, the President 
sprung her mainmast badly ; and on the 2 i st De- 
cember, lying to in the Gulf Stream, shipped a 
heavy sea, which svrept the starboard gangvr- y, 
started the boats, killed 2 men, and v/ounded 7. 
The President brought in 50 prisoners. 

The specie was landed from the Pj'esident at the 
navy-yard in Charlestown, and being placed in 
six waggons, each carrying the national colours, 
was thus carried to the State Bank in Boston, 
%vhere it was safely deposited, aniidwt the huzzas of 
tliou.«aiids of spectators. 

G 



«r 



4. HISTORY OF THE WAR. 



The ccmmodore parted companj^ with the Unit- 
ed States and Argus, the 12th October. 

The U. S. brig Viper, capt. Henley, of 12 guns, 
was captured on the 17th January, 1813, in lati 
29 N. 83. SO W. by his Britannic majesty's iri^ 
gate Narcissus, of 32 guns, after a chase of 5 
hoLirs ; — no fighting. 

Comrnodcre Bairibridcfe left the U. S. sJdop of 
war Hornet, capt. Jarnes Lawrence, oif the harbor 
of St. Salvador, where she remained from the 6th 
until the 24th January, blockading the Bonne 
Citoyenne and another armed vessel. Being at 
length driven from her station by the Montague, 
of 74 guns, wliich was sent to relieve the Bonne 
Citoyenne, captain Lawrence proceeded off De- 
marara river, v/hcrc, en the 24-th February, 1813, 
he fell in with and engaged his Britannic majesty's 
brig of war Peacock; the action lasted but 15 
minutes, in which short space of time tlie Peacock 
was literall}^ cut to pieces ; an ensign, union 
dovrn, was hung from the fore rigging, as a signal 
at orxe of distress and surrender. Lieut, b^lui- 
brick, who was sent en board her, returned with a 
report that she was fast sinking, having t})en six 
feet of water in her hold. The beats of the Hor- 
net were immeoiately despatched, and every pos- 
sible exertion made to keep her afloat until the pri- 
soners could be removed, by pumping and baling, 
without e:ffect ; as she sunk in five and a half la- 
thomis water, carrying down nine of her crew, and 
three of the crew of the Hornet, viz. John Hart, 
Joseph Williams, and Hannibal Boyd. Several 
of the Flornet's crew narrov/ly escaped a similar 
fate,, being saved by jumping into a boat that was 
Ijing on the bocms, as she werit down. 

1 he Peacock was one of the finest vessels of her 
claGS in the British navy; she mounted 16 twenty- 
four pound carronades, two long nines, one twelve 
pound carronade on her top gallant foreca^itle, as 



HISTORY OF THE \^^\R 7^ 

a shifting gun, and one four or six potsider, and 
two swivels, mounted aft ; her crew consisted, fct 
the time of the action, of one hundred and thirty 
men. 

The loss on board tlie Peacock could not be 
ascertained by capt. Lawrence, but must have been 
considerable. Ca}3t. Peake, her commander, and 
four men, were found dead on board, and 33 
wounded, most of them severely, three of whom 
died of their wounds, after being removed. The 
total of killed, w^ounded and drov^ned, was cer- 
tainly 42, and probably more. 

The -Espeigie, a Britisii brig, mountinf]^ 10 
thirty-tvv'o pound carronades and two long nines, 
lay about 6 miles in shore, and within sight of the 
action : she declined coming in aid of her consort, 
or to approach the victorious ship, although capt. 
Lawrence cleared his ship, in expectation of a 
second engagement. 

Captain Lawrence, stated, that there were two 
impressed American seamen on board the late Bri- 
tish sloop of war Peacock, one a native of the 
State of New- York, and the other a native of 
Norfolk. One of them was pressed two years and a 
half, and the other about 18 months previous, nei- 
tiier of them entered, and both were compelled to 
fight during' the engagement with the iiornet. 

Before the engagement commenced, the above 
mentioned American seamen left tlieir station, 
went to the captain of the Peacock, and asked his 
permission to go below,, with the craw of the brig 
Hunter, of Portland, as they could not fight 
against tlieir country. This request was peremp- 
torily refused by captain Peake, and the two Ame- 
i:icans were forced to their station, and compelled 
to fight. . 

Captain Lawrence furllier stated, that another 
impressed American was reported to liave beeu en 



76 HISTORY CF THE WAR. 

board the Peacock, and that he was killed du- 
riiig the action. 

The reader should not be carried away with 
the belief, that the commander of the Espeigle 
w^as a coward. That may possibly have been the 

xase, but it is far from being probable. -Those 

who wish to allow to American naval heroes their 
well earned honors, will be readier to ascribe the 
modesty of the Englishmen to the effect of Ameri- 
can prowess, than to British cowardice. Pru- 
dence is a virtue which often requires courage to 
exercise. Had the commander of the Espeigle 
encountered the victorious American, he would be' 
defeated. He probably believed so ; and, believing 
it, he acted with prudence. 

The folio v»'ing comment on the capture of th« 
Peacock is extrfxted from the London Globe. 

*' The late captain of the Swallowpacket, captured 
b)'' the Aniericans, landed on Monday at Fahnouth, 
fioni on board the Chiiders sloop of war. He con- 
firms the loss of the Peacock, w.hich struck to the 
Hornet, after a severe and sanguinary conflict, and 
went down while the enemy were taking out her 
crew. Sixteen En.f/li^h and four' Americans went 
down in her. The force of^ the tu o vessels was near- 
ly equal. The circn-.Tistances, therefore, which Imve 
enabled America thus to add another laurel to her ' 
brow, it is most important to know, ai\d Ve trust 
they will be fully innuired into. In the cases of cap- 
tare by large American frigates, the mercenary wri- 
ters for the admiralty have assured their readers that 
they have, by some charm, been able to practise a 
deceptio insics upon our navy ; that aitliough apparent- 
ly frigates, they are in fact great ships of the line ; 
but as no disparity of size is supposed to have exist- 
ed'iji this disaster,' Mr. Croker's scribes will probably 
give out, that the crew of the Hornet were not of 
%2 rrdinary race of sailors, but that every one was 
a ^i»jrcales in strength, and an Archimedes in sci- 
ence." 



-HISTORY OF THE WAR. 77 

The following appeared in a Halifax paper. 

*'In our extracts from American papers our read- 
ers will find an account of tlie capture of the Pea- 
cock. The good fortune of the Americans has not 
forsaken them ; on the contrary, it is more conspicu- 
ous in this than in their previous actions. Every one 
conr}ersant with gunnery must knotv, that had a vessel 
bee7i Moo.HEDyor the sole purpose of making an expe- 
riment, it is not at all likeli/ she tvoiild have been sunic 
in so short a time. 

Previous to the action vritli the Peacock, cap- 
tain Lawrence captured, on the 4th February, the 
Engli&h brig Resolution, of 10 guns, from Rio 
Janeiro, bound to Maranham, wiiich he burned 
'after taking from her about ^.23,000 sterling in 
specie. On mustering the morning after the ac- 
tion, there vi'ere found on board the Koinet 277 
souls, including the crew of the American brig 
Hunter, of Portland, taken a few days before by 
the Peacock. This additional proof of the supe- 
riority of American tactics has ilot been exceeded 
by any former instance. It may indeed be said to 
have decided the' relative merits of Americai^ and 
British seamen, the superiority claimed by the 
British is no longer vnaintaiiiable — the Americans 
rank decidedly as first in naval tactics. 

Captain Lawrence, while off 8t. J^alvador, sent 
a challenge to captain Greene, of the Bonne Cito- 
yenne, which tlie latter prudently decli^ied ac*^ 
cepting. ^ " 

The following resolution s-^^assed the common 
council of the city of New- York, on the 29 ih 
March, 18LS. 



" Resolved^ That the freedom of the city be pre- 
sented to Captain Lawrence, together with a piece 
of piate with appropriate devices and inscriptionrj, 
and that his lionor the Recorder be requested, to for- 
ward the saaie, with a copy of this resolution. 

IlesQcved, That in testimony of the; big 



mony or tlie; nigh seiiee 
G 2 



78 HISTOHY OF THE WAR. 

vrhich this Common Council entertain of the conduct 
of the United States' sloop of v/ar Hornet, by the 
capture of his Britannic Majesty's sloop of war Pea- 
cock, in -the unexampled short period of fifteen mi- 
nates, that the Common Council will give a public 
dinner to the crev/ of the United States sloop of war 
Hornet." 

These many and splendid naval victories deserv- 
ed not only the applause but the gratitude of the 
riation. Congress v.as not insensible to this. A 
law passed that body in March, 1813, appro- 
priating the sum of 25,000 dollars, to be distri- 
buted among the officers and crew of the Consti- 
tution, for the destruction of the Guerriere; and 
a like sum of 25,000 dollars, for the destruction of 
the Java; and the sum of 25,000 dollars, to be 
distributed amonfir the officers and crew of the 
Wasp, for the capture of the Frolic. 

The United States' frigate Chesapeake, captain 
Evans arrived at Boston the 10th April, 1813, 
from a cruise of 115 days, having sailed from the 
same port the ITth December, 1812. 

From Boston the Chesapeake ran down bv the 
Madeiras, Calvaries, and Cape de Verds; tlience 
down to the equator, between long. 16 and 25, 
wlicre she cruised 6 weeks ; thence down the coast 
of South America, passing within 15 leagues of 
Surrinam, (was in the same place the hornet sunk 
the Peacock the duy after she left) down by barba- 
does, Antigua," and most of the windward West- 
India islands; thence on the United States, be- 
tween Bermuda and the Capes of Virginia, by the 
Capes of Delaware within 12 leagues, by New- 
York v/ithin 20 leagues, tlience through the east 
chajmel to Boston, 

The Chesapeake captured, during her cruise, 
3 British, and 1 American vessel sailuig under a 
British licence; and re -captured an American 
schooner. The Chesapeake was chased by two 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 79 

ships of war (a 74 and a frigate) ofF the Vv^esteni 
Islands. Off the Capes of Virginia, gave chase 
to a sloop of war, and continued chasing for two 
days, when the sloop escaped in the night. Seven 
men died of a malignant fever; and tkree v/ere 
lost by the carrying away of the main-top-mast, 
during a heavy flaw, the day before her arrival 
in port. 

On the 26th April, the enemy in great force 
invested fort Meigs ; and, on the 1 st May, com- 
menced a cannonade. On the 9th May, the 
sicire was raised. The ix^rrison made successfid 
sorties against the right and left wing of the ene- 
my. General Clay also attacked the enemy, with 
great snccess, and spiked several pieces of cannon ; 
but the Kentuckians, with too much ardor and 
comidence, remained on the ground, aldiough 
frequently called on to return to the fort, nntil 
attacked by a very superior force of Indians and 
British, when they were defeated v/ith a loss of 
abont 500 m.en. 

On tlie 25di April, commodore Chaoncey 
sailed from Sackett's Harbor, having on board 
his fleet about 1 700 troops, destined to commence 
operations against Canada. They arrived oppo- 
site Little York, the capital of Upper Canada, 
on the morning of the 27th April, and immediate- 
ly commenced the landing of the troops, under a 
heavy fire fit'om the enemy. — After a very severe 
and sharp contest of half an hour, the enemy 
v/as repulsed by a number far inferior to theirs. 
As soon as the remainder of the troops had land- 
ed, the enemy retired to his works. One battery 
being carried, the troops were advancing towards 
the main works, when a treiiiendous explosion 
took place from a magazine previously prepared, 
and wh cli threw out an iuiuiense quantity of 
stcne^i, by which the Americans lost in killed and 
wounded about 200 men, among the killed, the 



go HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

gallant brigadier-general Pike. The British regu- 
lar troops having retreated, the commanding officer 
of the militia agreed to terms of capitulation, and 
the capital of Upper - Canada was surrendered to 
the American troops. The American loss in kill- 
ed and wounded was 269. Enemy's loss in kill- 
ed, -wounded, and prisoners, 930. 

As an evidence of tlie barbarity of the enemy, 
the following despatch from commodore Chauii- 
cey to the secretary pf the navy is given. 

Sir, I have the honor to present to ypii by the 
hanils of lieutenant Dudley, the British standainl taken 
at York on the 27th of April last, accompanied by 

the mace, over which was hung a ll,uman scalp 

These articles were taken from the parliament house 
by one of m)'^ officers, and presented to me. The 
scalp I caused to be presented to general Dearborn, 
who, 1 beheve, still has it in his possession. I also 
send by the same gentleman one of the British flags 
taken at Fort George on the 27th of May. I have 
the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your most o* 
bedient humble servant, 

ISAAC CHAUNCE^, 

On the 22d Mav, commod(n'e Chauncev sail- 
ed from Sackett's . Harbor, having 350 men of 
colonel M'Comb's rcmment on board, and arrived 
near Niagara on tlie 25th ; the otliei' parts of liis 
squadron had arrived before, and landed their 
troops. The commodore had an immediate in-^ 
tcrview with general Dearborn, and a plan of o- 
perations against the enemy was agreed on. On 
the 26th, the commodore reconnoitered the po- 
sition lor landing the troops ; and at night sound - 
ed the shore. The morning of the 27ih was fixed 
on for an attack on the enemy at Fort George. 
The heavy artillery, and as many troops as could 
be stowed, were taken on board the fleet, the re- 
mainder Mete ordered to embark on board boats, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 81 

«nd follow the fleet. — At 3 o'clock in the morn- 
ing, a signal was made for the fleet to weigh, and 
the troops were embarked on board the boats be- 
fore 4 ; and soon after, generals Dearborn and 
Lewis went on board the fleet. In the course 
of the morning, the different vessels advanced, 
and took positions as directed. All the vessels 
anchored within musket shot of the Canada shore ; 
and in ten minutes after they opened upon the 
batteries, they were completely silenced aiid a- 
bandpned. The light troops, under colonel Scott 
and major Forsytli', landed at 9 o'clock ; general 
Lewis' divisions v/ith light artillery, under colonel 
Porter, suopoited them. General Boyd's brigade 
\An<\^iX innuediately after; and generals Winder 

%v?A Chandler followed in quick succession. 

The enemy, wlio had been concealed in a ravine, 
now advanced in great force to the edge of the 
bank, and disputed the landing with great 
warmth ; but the coolness and intrepidity of the 
Americans- compelled them to give way in every 
direction. The enemy soon deserted the fort, 
which was occupied before noon by the Ameri- 
canos. The enemy lost 108 killed, 163 wounded, 
and 113 taken prisoners. The Americans lost 
39 killed, and 111 wounded. In the enemy's 
Joss, 507 militia, who were paroled, are not in- 
cluded. 

Prior to the taking of Fort George, three 
Americans in th^ camp, who refused to bear arms, 
were, by order of colonel Clark, taken out, and 
without ceremony &liot I This infernal scoundrel 
met with liis deserts soon after — he was killed at 
tiie time of the surprise of generals Winder and 
Chandler, 

A fire was kept up at intervals during the 
succeeding night, from the batteries at Fort Erie. 
On the morning of the 28th, all the magazines 
from Chippev/a "to Point Albino were blown up. 



82 HISTORY OF THE WAP.- 

the enemy- retreated; and Fort Erie was enter- 
ed in the afternoon by the American troops. 

In these different transactions, commodore 
Chauncey bore a spirited and useful part. The 
loss on board his B.eet consisted of . 5 killed and 
11 womided. 

Captain Perry, afterv/ard known as the hero of 
Erie, volunteered his services on this occasion, 
and materially - aided in securinj^ success. *• He 
was,", according to comraodot'e Chauncey's re- 
port, " present at eveiy point where lie could 
be useful, under showers of musketry, but fortu- 
nately escaped unhurt." 

The enemy, probably with a v/ish to perform 
some exploit that might balance his losses in tlie 
neighborhood of Niagara, prepared, vrith a strong 
force, to attack the American post at Sackett's 
Harbor. On the 28th Mixy the enemy's fleet ap- 
peared, accompanied by a large number of boats. 
Lieutenant Chauncey, of the navy, came in fi'om 
the lake, firing alarm guns. General Jacob Brown, 
who commanded the fort, made every possible 
disposition- to repel the menaced attack. On the 
morning of the 29th^ 33 large boats, Med -with 
troops, came off from the enemy, and proceeded 
to Garden -island, under cover of some gun-boats. 
The militia, stationed near where the enemy pro- 
posed to land, fired with considerable effect, and 
then fled from their post. The enemy effected a 
landing with about 1200 men at Horse-island. A 
detachment of militire, under command of captain 
M'Nitt, threw themselves, with considerable ef- 
fect, on the rear of the enemy's left flank, while 
the regulars, under colonel Backus engaged and 
routed him. General Prevost, who commanded 
the British expedition, retreated with great pre- 
cipitation, under protection of the guns of hi« 
vessels; and thus saved himself and men from be- 
ing made prisoners. According to a previous ar» 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. B$ 

raiigement, it was agreed that, in a certain event, 
the stores, &c. at the navy-point should be de- 
stroyed. This event did not happen ; but some 
person, ' unauthorised, brought information to 
lieutenant Chauncey that the battle was lost — the 
stores, accordingly, were destroyed. 

Gen. Jacob Brown, of the state of New- York, 
who commanded the land forces at Sackett's har- 
bour, gave a substantial proof of those military 
talents, v/hich in all his subficquent operations were 
so co>ispicuou?sly useful to his country, and so uni- 
formly honourable to himself, that even envy ne- 
ver dared lisp an insinuation discreditable or dis- 
honourable to the general. Sir James Lucas Y^eo 
commanded the British fleet. 

The enemy's loss was very considerable, includ- 
ing several officers of distinction. The Americans 
lost about 150 in killed and wounded ; colonel Mills 
was killed, and colonel Backus mortally woun- 
ded. About 400 regular troops sustained the heat 
of the action. 

At the close of the action, a British barge, with 
a naval lieutenant, under a flag of truce, came to 
the^bankof the rivGr, and demanded of an officer 
who was standing there, in the name of the gene- 
ral and commodore, the surrender of Sac-kett's 
harbour. The officer replied "Nc," and the flag 
returned. 

The pride and presumed superiority of Britain 
on her own domain, the ocean, was materially t'jT- 
iiished. The laurels plucked from France, Spain, 
Portugal, and Holland, were withering, and. seem- 
ed to be transferred to adorn the brows of the 
hitherto despised commxanders of the Lilliputian 
fleet of America. It was resolved by the -enemy 
to retrieve lost honour. An expedient was resort- 
ed to, which w^as successftd as far as the capturing 
of a ship ; yet.an astonished and admirhjg world 
remained unaltered iii the opinion, that the supe- 



84 - niSTORY OF THE WAR. 

riorlty of American tars was not lessened by the 
event, nor the fading lustre of British invincibility 
in any manner retrieved. 

For some time before the 1st of June, the Bri- 
tish frigates Tencdos, Bellepoule, and Shannon, 
were off the harbour of Boston, where the Chesa- 
peake lay. The Tenedos and Bellepoule, having 
put a part of their crews on board the Shannon, 
proceeded to sea. The Shannon (the best fri- 
gate in tlie British navy) appeared alone off the 
harbour; on which the Chesapeake got nndei' 
weigh, at meridian, on 1st June: — atl5mmutes 
before 6, an action commenced, within pistol shot, 
and in a few minutes the vessels closed; the arm- 
chest of the Chesapeake was blown up by a hand- 
grenade thrown from the enemy's ship : and im- 
mediately after, the Chesai)eake was carried by^ 
boarding, and the private signals of the navy of 
the United States fell into the hands of the enemy. 

The enemy boasted not of this victory ; it cost 
him too dear, and was an indisputable proof of 
American bravery. Never was there such carnage 

between two ships in so short a time. The 

loss on board the Shannon cannot be exactly as- 
certained ; the loss on board the Chesapeake was 
48 killed, and 96 wounded. Total killed aiid 
wounded, 144. 

Every officer upon whom the comm.and of the 
ship v/ould devolve, was either killed or wounded, 
previously to tlie capture of the vessel. The brave 
capt. Lawrence was mortally wounded. 

On the authority of captain John Upton, com- 
mander of the privateer Cossack, of Salem, the 
following circum.stances were published in an 
eastern paper. 

«' After the enemy had complete possession of the 
ship, and the men were ordered from tlie tops, Mr. 
Berry,aTnicUhipmpn, who commanded trie niizen top, 
lurrendercd hiaisulf as a prl.t;'jiier, when two sailor* 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 85 

nishcd up, and seizing him by the co1]?j/, atto.iipted to 
throve hiiii overboard; bat he got within the shrouds, 
when they seized hi^Ti by the lieels, and pitched him 
on the deck. Being stunned by the fill), he lay for 
some time senseless ; and when he came to, he was ^ 
cut over the head with a cutlass, which nearly ter-* 
minat-ed his existence. Mr. Livingstofi, ant>ther mid- 
shipman, after receiving a musket ball through his 
body, was run through the body three times, notwith- 
standing his repeated cries for quarter, and after the 
enemy had possession of the ship ! He lived long 
enough to 6Kprcss his indignation at the brutality of 
his enemies, and expired in a few hours. Three men 
were killed in the hold after the capture of the ship ; 
and they even fired into tjie cockpit, among the woun- 
ded and dyiwi^ ! Eleven of the Ch&sapeake's oiHcers 
were conlined in a small place, nine feet by 6, with 
a guard at the door, till they arrived at Hahkix, and 
only 1 or 2 permitted to come out at a time. Men 
were shot at in coming down out ot the tops to surren- 
der themselves and other instances of barbarity took 
place, disgraceful to a civilized people." 

The boastings of British editors, and tlio re- 
joicings of British partizans, were rather mad than 
en' f isiastic, on the recovery of her trident by the 
misLress of the deep ; but this rejoicino- did not 
long continue ; the facts connected with the en- 
STug-eraent could not be ion,g: concealed. The cow- 
ardiy superiority of the enemy, the unexampled 
bravery of the Americans, and tht) great loss of 
blood in defence of their iiao;, especially when Cv5n- 
trasted v/ith former engagements, in which the 
enemy was deieati^d^ left no solid ground for exul- 
tation, nothing of which to boast. The unpre- 
judiced reasoner will yet be found lioldino- the 
laiire], and doubting whether to award it to the 
victors or the vanquished. The hoiioiirs confer- 
red on captain Broke hy his conntrym.en, v/ere 
justly due to great valour, of v/hich ho is certairriy 
possessed ; aUfiough in this instance it was tar- 

H 



«G HISrORY OF THE WAR 

nishecl by a dastardly plan to render success cer- 
tain. 

The body of captain Lawrence was interred at 
Halifax on the 8th June; on which occasion the 
British officers joined in procession, to show their 
respect for a naval commander whose heroism, 
skill and demeanor drew respect from all, even 
from the enemy. 

Captain Crowinshickl, of Salem, (Ms.) having 
obtained a flag of trace, proceeded to Halifax in 
the brig Henry, at his own private expense ; and 
beinof permitted to take on board his vessel the 
body of captain Lawrence, and also that of lieu- 
tenant Ludlow, brought the corpses to Salem, 
where a funeral procession took place on the 17th 
August, v*ith every mark of regret, esteem and 
gratitude, which the citizens could bestow. Judge 
Story delivered a suitable oration. The effect 
produced on the audience, when the orator pro- 
nounced the last dying words of Lawrence, " don't 
GIVE UP THE SHIP," may be conceived — to describe 
it would be impossible. 

Mr. Edward N. Cox, brother-in-law to ^ ptain 
Lawrence, proceeded to Salem, and having receiv- 
ed the bodies of the two heroes, conveyed them to 
the city of New- York, where they were finally in- 
terred. The arrangements for a public funeral 
were made under the direction of a committee of 
the common council of the city. 

On Thursday the 16th September, pursuant to 
arrangements, the bodies of our valiant country- 
men, Lawrence and Ludlow, were finally consign- 
ed to the peaceful tomb. The unusual number 
which swelled the mournful procession, and the 
undissembled sorrow which marked every counte- 
nance, from the highest to the lowest order, evinced 
in an unparalleled degree the public sympathy, 
and that the honours paid to the " mighty dead" 
were not more conspicuous than deserved. On 



HISTORY OF TliE WAR. S7 

no similar occasion liave we witnessed a testimoiii- 
iil of respect so universal and sincere. It wt^s in- 
deed a day of njourning. The hearts of hoary 
patriots and youthful heroes beat in solemn unison, 
and the bright eye of beauty glistened with a tri- 
butary tear. Not only the reflections arising from 
such a scene, but every transaction connected with 
the proceedings of the day, were calculated to in- 
spire with reverence the coldest and most disinter- 
ested spectator. 

The concourse of spectators w^ho witnessed this 
interesting and impressive exhibition was innume- 
rable, and is supposed to amount to forty or fifty 
thousand. The streets were lined, the windows 
crowded, and the roofs covered with citizens, view- 
ing the grand and solemn spectacle. The caval- 
cade of boats in the harbor, from its novelty in 
particular, attracted much attention, and the 
wharves and the rigging of the vessels in the docks 
were crowded with spectators. 

The corporation made a provision of 1,000 
dollars for each of the two hifant children: of cap- 
tain Lawrence. 

An application to the British naval officer, cap- 
tain Oliver, for permission to convey the bodij^g Qf 
Lawrence and Ludlow, by water to New- York, 
was shamefully refused. 

The following extracts, translated from a French 
paper, is worthy of a place here. 

" The British, who had triumphed in so many na- 
val combats previously to the prevailing American 
war, have long relinquished the practice of rejoicing 
for victories obtained over a single frigate. If an 
achievement of that sort took place against any of 
the European powers, the detail of the action was 
merely inserted in the London Gazette, the papers 
of the metropolis echoed the narrative, paid a pas- 
sing compliment to the otRcer, and the affair went off 
being recorded pro memoria, in the Naval Chronicle, 
as a thiiiff of course. Votes of honor from the cor- 



S8 HISTORY OF TflE WAI^. 

portion of London, a sword of a hundred guineas 
valne, ami parliamentary encomiums, were reserved 
ibr the hero who should destroy a fleet. The battle of 
the Nile, that of Trafalgar, and the like, were alone 
brilliant enough to excite the applause of a people 
grovrn callous to common feats of renown, and \vho, 
accustomed to vanquish every thing on the ocean, be- 
lieved themselves omnipotent on that element. In 
the Amcriccns, the Brilisli have found an enemy that 
has obstructed the agreeable train of their maritime 
ideas. The citizens of the Umted States are the best 
seamen in the world. Their officers are men of nau- 
tical science, of great experience, and generally in 
the prime of life. The fir^t naval combat of the war, 
marked, not a simple equality of skill and courage 
in the men of the two countries, but a decided su- 
periority in lavor of the Americans. If the English 
prid-e was mortified at the sudden reverse in the case 
of the Guerriere, the whole British government was 
thrown into consternation at the capture of the Mace- 
donian, tiic Java, the Frolic, and the Peacock. Such 
rapid and successive defeats made the cabinet of St. 
James bri.^lle again ; it seemed as if all the English 
captains were doomed to pa.ss, one after the other, 
under the Yankee yoke, or to the regions of the 

" A triumph gained by something very like an ar- 
tifice, has given occasion to the most extravagant de- 
monstrations of joy in London. A member of Par- 
liament, whose name is Croaker, v/hich in the Eng- 
lish tongue, signifies a noisy, but contemptible rep- 
tile,- has pronounced on the occasion a most prepos- 
terous eulogium, and the corporation of London have 
treated the afiair as if the fleets of all the world had 
been anchored in the Thames, as tropliies of their 
valor! Who is there that does not perceive irvthis va- 
poring of the Islanders, a real fear for their ultimate 
naval superiority? The Americans will soon recover 
from this event. They J^re a people vvho do not yield 
to misfortune. We had some experience of them 50 
years ago ; and they have already evinced that they 
have not degenerated." 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 89 



The l)arbaroiis usage which the crew of the 
Chesapeake received from the enemy, when con- 
trasted with the treatment which the brave Law- 
rence and his crew observed when they were vic- 
tors, is the best possiWe comment on the charac- 
ter of botli nations. 

It is a fact worthy of note, and in the highest 
degree honourable to our brave tars, that on the 
day succeeding the destruction of the Peacock, 
the crew of the Hornet made a subscriptin, 
and supplied the prisoners (who had lost almost 
every thing) with two shirts and a jacket and 
trowsers each. 

The following is the official report of an extra- 
ordinary event which occurred on the 6th June: 

COPY OF A LETTER 

From Major-Qeneral Dearborn to the Secretary of 

Jlar. 

Head-Quarters, Fort-Geonre, Ju7ie G, IS13. 
•Sir, 
I have received an express from the head of the 
lake this evening, with intelligence that our troops, 
commanded by brig. gen. Chandler, were attacked at 
two o'clock this morning by the whole of the British 
and Indian forces; and by some strange fatality, 
though our loss was small, (not exceeding thirty) 
and the enemy completely routed and driven from the 
field, both brig, generals Chandler and Winder were 
taken prisoners. They had advanced to ascertain 
the situation of a company of artillery, when the at- 
tack commenced. Gen. Vincent is said to be among 
the killed of the enemy ; Col. Clarke was mortally 
M'ounded, and fell into our hands, with 60 prisoners 
of the 49th British regiment. The whole loss of the 
enemy is 250. They sent in a flag with a request to 

bury their dead. General Lewis, accompanied by 

brig. gen. Boyd, goes on to take the command of the 
advanced tioops, 

H2 



90 . mSTORY OF THE WAR. 

It appears, tliat on this occasion the advanced 
guard of the American army commenced a sliarp 
skirmisli with the advance of the enemy, on the 
afternoon of the 5th Jnne ; the latter was com- 
pelled to retreat into a thick wood. In the even- 
ing the Americans took a position behind Stoney- 
creek ; the light infantry and part of the rifle corps 
formed the right wing ; the artillery, the centre ; 
the 5th, 16th and 23d infantry, and some riflemen, 
the left, and the cavalry in the rear; the picket 
guards were strong, and so placed as to surround 
the encampment with centinels. The whole force 
did not exceed 1000 men; but their disposition 
was the best that could be made. Tln'ce hundred 
men were encamped on the border of the lake, 
for the protection of the boats. 

About two o'clock in the morning, the enemy 
forced the picket, and attacked the encampment in 
the dark, with his whole force of regulars and In- 
dians. The Ameiicans withstood and resisted the 
enemy w'ith sucli resolution and success, that when 
the day dawned, none of the enemy w^re to be 
seen, but the killed and wounded, who covered 
the field of battle. 

The attack began on the riglit, and -Was gallant- 
i}' repelled by the fire of the light troops and 25th 
legiment, commanded by major Smitli. In a 
few minutes it became general along the whole 
line, and was nobly returned by the artillery of 
the centre, commanded by captains Townsend. and 
L. Leonard, and by the troops of the left wing, 
viz. the 5th, under lieut. col. Milton, the 23d. com- 
manded by major Armstrong, and the 16th. The 
fire continued with little intermission for one hour, 
during which time the enemy attempted, by fre- 
quent charges, to break our line, but without ef- 
fect, being obliged to give way by ih& well direct- 
ed fire of our brave troops. 

The 13th and 14lh regimeiits, which had been 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. §1 

detached the preceding evening, were active in 
making prisoners, and advanced with much ardor 
to the field, Mn hopes of sharing with the gallant 
5th and 25th, 23d and light troops, the glory of 
another combat. But the unfortunate capture of 
brig. gens. Chandler and Winder, who were tak- 
en in the action, unknown to any part of the ar- 
my, and hurried to the enemy's lines, prevented 
the future operations from being carried into et- , 
feet with the promptitude which would assuredly 
have taken place, had either of those officers been 
present to command. 

As soon as it v/as discovered that generals Win- 
der and Chandler were prisoners, colonel James 
Burn, on whom the command devolved, summon- 
ed a council of war, a majority of whom decided 
that the army ought to retire to its former position 
at Forty-mile creek. 

The army on this occasion has proved its firm- 
ness and bravery, by keeping its position in a night 
attack, in which the yells of the Indians, mingled 
with the roaring of cannon and musketry, were 
calculated to intimidate. The enemy charged re- 
poatcdlj', and so dark was the night, that our army 
could not distinguish friend from foe ; in one of 
these they succeeded in carrying off a 6 pounder, 
a howitzer and a caisson, to the great mortification 
of our brave artillery. It is presumed ii was en 
that occasion also that we lost our gent rals, who 
were distinctlv heard encouraGinff our men to fiidit. 
The squadron of dragoons remained ierrfied and 
steady at their posts, but could not act on account 
of the darkness of the night, and the thickness of 
the adjacent woods. 

Heport of hilled^ twunded, and missings in the flction 
of the 6th June, at Stoney Creek. 

Killed — 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 15 privates. 



/ 



92 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

Wounded— 1 captain, 1 sergeant, 2 corporals, and 
34 privates. 

Missing — 2 brigadier-generals, 1 major, 3 captains, 
i subaltern, 9 sergeants, 4 corporals, 80 privates. 

Total — killed, wounded, and missing, 154. 

Correct returns from the reports of the different 
corps in the action of the 6th inst. at Stoney creek. 

J. Johnson, Asst. Adj. Gen. 

The enemy acknowledged to have on this occa- 
sion, the 8th or king's regiment, 280 men ; 49th 
regiment, 430; total regular, 710, besides "a 
powerful body of Indians, under the chief Nor- 
ton." As the enemy makes no mention of hi» 
militia, and as he is known to under-rate his ac- 
tual force in every engagement, it may be sup- 
posed that his force in the engagement at Stoney- 
creek, was very considerable. 
' The American army took up a position at Forty 
mile-creek, ten miles in rear of the ground on which 
it had been attacked. Here it was joined at 5 o'clock 
in the afternoon of the 7th June, by a reinforcement 
under the command of gen, Lewis. At 6 o'clock 
in the evening, the hostile fleet hove in sight; the 
Americans lay on their arms during the night. 
At dawn of day the squadron appeared about a 
mile from tlie shore; about 6 o'clock, towed in a 
large schooner, (it being a dead calm,) with a view 
to destroy a number ot boats, attached to the A- 
merican army, which lay on the beach. By 
means of a temporary furnace, constructed in half 
an hour, under direction of Captain Totten, of the 
engineers, and by the successful fire from 4 pieces 
of artillery, worked by the men of capt. Archer 
and Towson's companies, the enemy's schooner 
was comoeiied to retire, without efFectino; the de- 
struction of the boats. A party of Indians, hav- 
ing occupied a commanding eminence, commenc- 
ed an attack on the Americans, but were soon dis- 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. S3 

ioeiged and forced to retreat l>efore a party of vol- 
oDt'eers, under connnand of Kent. Eldridge, adju- 
tant in col. Chryfctie's regiment.' Sir James Yec, 
commander of the enemy's fleet, having failed in 
his attack on the boat*^, sent a flag to the American 
commander, demanding a surrender of the nrmy ; 
to this a verbal negative vtas given. On the 14th, 
a part of the ^amp equipage and bagg.jge were 
put in boats, and the weatlicr being ftivourcibie, the 
boats put oft', without waiting for a detachment of 
*iOO men, which were ordered to go on beard for 
the purpose of protecting them, in case of being 
attacked. It was tor a short time calm, but a breeze 
springing u}7, when they had progressed about 
three njiles, they v;ere bore down upon by an arm- 
ed schooner ; the most enterprising kept on and 
escaped ; others ran to the sliore and deserted their 
boats; twelve of the boats, principally containing 
bairiraire of the olilcers and men, were taken. At 



-Bin .in' 



10 o'clock, gen. Lewis put the army in motion, in 
order to retiirn to Niagara ; the Canadian ujihtia 
and savages hung on their flanks and rear, during 
the retreat. 

Lieutenant Colonel Bcsrstler was detached on 
the evening of 23d June, with 570 men, to a 
place called Beaver-darns, about 9 miles from 
Queens-town, to disperse a body of the enemy 
collected there. She enemy's force was under- 
stood to consist of above 80 regulars, 150 or 200 
mihtia, and 50 or 60 Indians. Colonel Boerstler's 
detachment reached v/ithin about two miles of 
Beaver-dams, at 8 o'clock in the morning, when 
it was attacked from an ambuscade, consisting of 
500 regulars, and 100 Indians, but soon repulsed 
the enemy, and then retired to a r' ar field, and 
sent an express for reinforcements. A reinforce- 
ment of 300 men, under command of Colonel 
Chrystie, was quickly marched to the aid of Col- 
onel Boerstlerj but, on arriving at Queenstowuj 



94 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

was informed, tliat Lieutenant Colonel Bcerstler, 
with bis command, had surrendered to the enemy. 
The reinforcement returned to camp. The Ame^ 
rican troops fought v/idi ineat bravery for two 
hours, while surrounded by superior numbers. 
General Dearborn, in his official statement, dated 
at Fort George, June 25lb, expresses his sur- 
prise, " why it should have been deemed proper 
to remain several hours in a position surrounded 
by woods, A\ithout either risking a decisive action, 
or effecting a retreat, remains to be accounted for, 
as well as the project of waiting for a reinforcement 
from a distance of fifteen or rixteen miles." This 
difficulty was soon cleared up by IMajor Chapin^ 
who commanded the mihtia at the battle of Bea- 
ver-dams, but who arrived at Buffaloe in the liight 
of the 13th July, having, together with his com- 
pany, escaped from the enemy, Jifter being prisoners 
of war. Captain Chapin stated, that the enemy was 
considerably superior in number, notwithstanding 
which, Lieutenant Colonel Boerstler would have 
been able to maintain his position, or cut a pas- 
sage through the enemy, so as to effect a retreat ; 
but at this juncture, a British officer rode up, and 
demanded the surrender of the American party. 
The demand was made, he said, to prevent the 
effusion of blood. He asserted also, upon his 
honour, and declared in the most solemn manner, 
that the British regular force was double that of the 
American, and that the Indians were 700 in num- 
ber. Lieutenant Colonel Boerstler, under a be- 
lief of these facts, and thinking it impracticable to 
get off the wounded, whom he was unwilling to 
abandon to the mercy of the savages, and deeming 
it extremely uncertain whether a retreat could be 
effected, thought proper to agree to terms of ca- 
pitulation, which were at length signed by him- 
self on the one part, and by Lieutenant Coicnci 
Bishop on the other. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 95 

Captain Chapin makes tlie following statement : 

" The articles of capitulation were no sooner 
signed, than they were violated. The Indians im- 
mediately commenced their depredations, and 
plundered the officers of their side-arms. The 
soldiers too were stripped of every article of cloth- 
ing to which the savages took a fancy, such as 
hats, coats, shoes, &c." 

By the articles of capitulation, it was stipulated 
that the wounded should be taken good care of, 
the officers be permitted to retain their side-arms, 
private property be respected, and the militia im- 
mediately parolled. How characteristic of a sa- 
vage and faithless enemy was this shameful viola- 
tion of honour and good faith. 

Major Chapin and his corps were detained un- 
der a guard at tliehead of Lake Ontario, and no 
attention paid to the article of capitulation, which 
provided for their being parolled. On the 12th 
inst. they were ordered down the lake to Kingston ; 
for which place they were embarked in two boats, 
accompanied by a guard of 15 men, under the 
command of a lieutenant. Thirteen of the men, 
with the lieutenant, were stationed in the forward 
boat with Major Chapin and the other officers, 
while the remaining two, (a sergeant and one man,) 
took the direction of the other boat, which con- 
tained the soldiers. An agreement had been en- 
tered into, previous to their departure, of seizing 
the first opportunity that offered to regain their li- 
berty, which they determined to effect, or die in the 
attempt. When they were within about 12 miles 
of York, the boat which was filled v, ith the pri- 
soners, was rowed by them along side of the other, 
under pretence of taking something to drink. The 
signal being given, they sprang upon tlie guard, 
who httle expected such a manoeuvre, and in a 
short time disarmed them, and gained possession 
of the boats. They immediately altered their 



96 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

course from Kingston to Fort Niagara, and aftt-r 
rowing hard for most of the night, and escaping 
with difficulty from one of the enemy's schooners, 
whicli gave tliein chase, arrived in safety with their 
prisoners, at the American garrison. 

The following extnict of a private letter from 
Fort George, made its appearance in a public 
new^spaper, in the first week in August : 

^' A large boat arrived twq days sinxe from Little 
York, containing one lieutenant, and 8 of his Britan- 
nic majesty's mihtia, captured by 8 of out men, ('3 
regulars, and 5 militia, ) taken at Beaver -Dams. The 
lieutenant and his party were conducting them to 
Kingston — our men rose on the English, and brought 
them in here. Another boat, with 14^ of Boerstler's 
men, has just come in from York, bringing with them 
their sentinel, and one other person.'* 

It would be an unpardonable injustice to the 
brave Chapin not to give his own report of this 
Jheroic escape. Tiie folio v,ing is a copy of his let- 
ter to General Dearborn, daied Fort George, June 
13th, 1813. 

"Sir — L have just arrived from my confinement ia 
Canada, with" my men, without our parole. Our re- 
turn iiappened in the follov»an^ mannner ; I received 
orders at Burlington heights on Monday morning, to 
go to Kingston — We set off accordingly under the 
care of a gu^n*d of ,16 men. I had with me 28 men. 
We all went on very quietly till 4 o'clock in the af- 
ternoon, at which time 1 gave a signal to attack the 
guard, which were stationed in the toftowing order ; 
A sergeant and one man in the boat with my men, a 
lioiitenant and 13 men in the boat with me and two 
officers. At the sigaal, iny men ran aloag side of the 
boat I was in. Lieut. Showers ordered them to fail 
aztern. I ordered them on board — at which thne the 
ofiicer attempted to draw hi^ swjrd, I seized hira by 
the neck and threw him on his back — two of his men 
drew their bayonets upon me — I immediately seised 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 97 

both bayonets at the same instant, and threw them 
on the top of the officer, and kept all down together ; 
at the same moment, my men seized the guard, and 
wrested from them their arms — we then, having pos- 
session of the arms, changed our course, and arrived 
here this morning half after two o'clock, all safe. We 
have brought two boats with us. 

I have the honour to be very respectfull}'-, your 
obedient servant, 

CYRENUS CHAPIN." 

On the 11th July, 1813, 250 British regulars 
crossed the Niagarii, below Black Rock, moved 
up towards that place, and marched far above the 
navy -yard, before any alarm was given. The de- 
tached militia, being surprised, retreated up the 
beach, and left the enemy in quiet possession of 
the village, who proceeded to burn the sailors* bar- 
racks and block -nouses at the great battery ; they 
then proceeded to the batteries, dismounted and 
spiked three 12 pornders, and took away three 
field pieces, and one 12 pounder; they took from 
the store-houses a quantity of whiskey, salt, flour, 
pork, &c. which, v/ith four citizens, they took 
across the river. At the first moment of the 
ah'irm, General Porter left Black Rock for Buf- 
faloe ; at which place he assembled a body of vol- 
unteers, and a few regulars, which, with 100 
militia, and 25 Indians, formed a junction about 
a mile from the enemy. After being formed with 
the militia and Indians on the Hanks, and the 
volunteers and regulars in the centre, they attack- 
ed, and the enemy, after a contest of 20 minutes, 
retreated in the utmost confusion, to the beach, 
embarked in several of our boats, and pulled for 
the opposite shore ; all the boats got off without 
injury, except the last, which suflered severely 
from our fire, and from appearance, nearly all the 
men in her were killed and wounded. The Bri- 
tish lost 8 killed on the field, besides these killed 

I 



# 



H HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

and wounded in the boats. The Americans took 
] 5 prisoners, who were sent to Batavia. On the 
American side, sergeant Hartman, Jonathan 
Thomson, and Joseph Wright, were killed, and 
5 wounded, two of which were Indians. 

On the 7th July, the enemy attacked a guard 
about a mile and a half from Fort George, when 
Lieut. Eldridge, with 39 men, who volunteered 
under him, went to relieve them; but, in his zeal 
to execute the order, he unexpectedly found him- 
self surrounded in the wood by Indians, who open- 
ed a deadly fire upon his little corps, which cut 
down 18 — a few fled, and the remainder were 
taken by the Indians, and stripped, scalped, and 
mangled in a horrid manner. Only 9 of the corps 
escaped. 

During the night of the 4th July, a party of 
the enemy, consisting, according to the British 
account, of 44< men, but known to exceed that 
number, passed over in boats from Chippawa to 
Fort Schlosser, which was guarded by only 12 
men, whom the enemy made prisoners, together 
with three of the citizens; and also succeeded in 
Ciirrying off some flour, salt pork, whiske}'', &c.; 
one brass six pounder, a few stands of arms, some 
ball-cartridges, &c. with wliich they hastily retir- 
ed. The enemy being reinforced, returned on 
the succeeding evening to complete the plundering, 
which his hurry and fears compelled him to leave 
unfinished during his first visit, but observing a 
guard, he retreated without attempting to land. 

A body of the enemy, consisting of about 200 
men, beside Indians, attacked the pickets at Fort 
George, on the 1 7th July, but v/ere bravely repul- 
sed, after a contest of one hour. Although this 
affair was not otherwise of much cont^quence, it 
was in a degree so, inasmuch as it gave a full op- 
portunity of testing the conduct of the American 
officers engaged; as it was fought in detachm- 
ents Colonel Scott had command of the troops 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 93 

on tills occasion. General Boyd, in his official 
report, highly extolled the activity and bravery of 
those engaged, particularly Majors Cummins, 
and Armstrong; Captains Vandeiirsen, Madison, 
Birdsall, and Towson. 

A declaration of war, of which the following 
is a copy, was issued by the Six Nations of New- 
York Indians, immedbtely after the invasion of 
tlie state bv the British. 

DECLARATION OF WAR, 

BY THE SIX NATIONS OF INDIANS. 

We, the Chiefs and Councillors of the Six Nation! 
of Indians, residing in the state of New- York, do 
hereby procUiiin to all the W^ir Chiefs and Warriors 
of the Six Nations, that WAR is declared on our 
part, against the Provinces of Upper and Lower 
Canada. 

Therefore, we do hereby command and advise all 
the War Chiefs to call forth immediately the W^arri- 
ors under them, and put them in motion, to protect 
their rights and liberties, which our brethren, the 
Americans, are now defending. 

(Signed) Bij the Grand Councillors, 

Major- General Dearborn had been for some 
^ time in a state of ill health. On the 15th July 
lie was superceded in the command of the army 
on the Niagara frontier; and was succeeded by 
Gen. Boyd, tlie second in command. On this 
occasion, the general received a very affectionate 
address from General Boyd, and the other officers 
serving at Fort GeorgQ. As, hov/ever, the cause 
of the general's dismissal was the object of various 
conjecture, the following extract from the general 
order, issued on tlie occasion, will give to the reader 
all the satistactioii in our power to communicate. 

" The major general coinmanding, having received 
orders from the secretary ot war, to ratire from the 



• 



lOa HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

command of this army until his health shall be re- 
established, and until further orders — the command 
devolves on Brig. Gen. Bojd. Were the major-gene- 
ral permitted to consult his own feelings, no consi- 
deration could induce him to leave the army at this 
important crisis ; but the first duty of a soldier is to 
obey Ilis superiors." 

About the 15th or 16th of July, two private 
armed boats, each carrying a 6 or 8 pounder, and 
50 men, sailed from Sackett's Harbour, to cruise 
in the St. Lawrence! On Monday, the 19th, 
they fell in with a gun-boat, carrying a 6 pound 
carronade, conveying 15 of the enemy's batteaux, 
captured them without the loss of a man, and 
bi'ought them into Cranberry creek, about 49 
miles above Ogdensburg. The batteaux had on 
board 230 barrels pork, 300 bags pilot-bread, 
ammunition, &c. bound from Montreal to Kinss-' 
ton. On Tuesday morning, 3 of the enemy's 
gun-boats, with 250 soldiers from Prescot, arrived 
off the creek, and landed their men. The priva- 
teersmen liad hardly time to construct a breast- 
work of their bags of pilot-bread, before they 
were attacked by 200 of the enemy ; and strange 
to tell, after an obstinate engagement, in which 
from 40 to 60 of the enemy were killed, his force 
retreated precipitately to their boats, except 1 5, 
who took to the woods and were pursued. The 
American loss was trifling, though it is not speci- 
fied. Sixty-seven British prisoners, captured in 
the batteaux and gun-boat, arrived at Water- 
town on Tuesday evening. 

The employment of Indians by the enemy ren- 
dered it absolutely necessary to attach the friendly 
Indians to the army of the United States. On 
this occasion there was an opportunity of proving 
tliat the savage can abstain from those barbarous 
acts, which the enemy must have encouraged, or 
<?ertainly did not attempt to prevent. 



HISrORY OF THE WAR. iM 

A body of volunteers and Indians, under com- 
mand of Major Chapin, had a skirmish with the 
enemy near Fort Georgf^, on the 17th August,. 
in which the hitter w^as defeated, and completely^ 
routed. The American Indians captured 12 of 
the British Indians, and 4 whites. The Iftdians, 
in a council held with them previous to this affair, 
covenanted not to scalp or mu rder. ^ Th eir bravery 
in battle was as conspicuous as their humanity to 
the vanquished ; no insult was offered even to the 
dead. 

At day-break on the 24th August, the enemy, 
■with his whole force, commanded by Sir George 
Prevost, drove in all the American pickets at 
Fort George. A skirmish ensued in the village, 
with little effect, when the enemy retired, leav- 
ing 15 of his men dead on the field, and a few 
prisoners, including a captain of the 49th. The 
Americans lost 2 men killed, and a few wounded. 
The pain of being compelled to relate the bar- 
barity of a faithless enemy, on almost every occa^ 
sion where he had. power, is pleasingly mitigated 
by the contrast which the acts of American sol- 
diers and seamen produce. Among the many, 
too numerous for recollection or detail, the fol- 
lowing will be read with satisfaction. 

On the 21st September, a company of volun- 
teers, principally of the village of Buffaloe, era- 
barked for Sugar Loaf, (about 14 miles from Fort 
Erie,) under command of Major Chapin, with 
an intention to surprise and capture a British 
cuard, commanded bv Coloiiel Warren. The 
Colonel had anticipated the attack, and had vvith- 
drawn himself and guard from the lake some miles, 
into the interior of the country. — The party took 
several prisoners, who were immediately paroled ; 
and S4 barrels of flour, and a bale of blankets, 
all of which was the property of government. 
There were several hundred barrels of fiour at the 

12 



102 HISTORY OF THE WAB. 

iriills, but there being no proof of its being public 
property, it was not taken. The conduct of Ma- 
jor Chapin, in. all his incursions into the enemy's 
territory, has been strictly honorable ; carefully 
distinguishing between friends and enemies; just- 
ly discriminating between public and private pro- 
perty. 

The American fleet, under command of Com^ 
modore Chauncey, went out of the inner harbour 
of Sackett's Harbour, the 19th .July, 1813, and 
sailed soon afterward. The fleet stretched over 
for the enemy's shore, and fiom thence stood up 
the lake, and arrived off" Niagara, in the evening 
of the 27th July. Com. Chauncey being inforrq- 
ed that the enemy had a considerable deposit of 
provisions and stores at Burlingba}', had determi- 
ned to attempt their destruction. Flaving taken 
on board 250 infantry, the fleet proceeded to the 
head of the lake, but owing to li^jht winds and 
calms, did not arrive to an anchorage before the 
evening of the 29th. — Two parties were sent on 
shore, who took some of the inhabitants^ from 
whom they learned that the enemy was lately re- 
inforced, and that he had from 600 to SCO regu- 
lars. The troops were, however, landed the next 
morning, together with some marines and sailors; 
but, on reconnoitering the enemy's position, he 
was found posted upon a peninsula of high ground, 
strongly intrenched, and his camp derended by 
about 8 pieces of cannon. It was judged inexpe- 
dient to attack him with a force scarcely half his 
laumbers, and v/ithoiit artillery. The men were 
re-embarked in the course of the afternoon; and 
the fleet weighed in the evening, and stood for 
York, in the harbour of which place it anchored 
about 3 o'clock, P. M. On the 31st, the schoon- 
ers sailed into the upper harbour; the marines 
«nd soldiers, under the command of Colonel 
Sect'-, landed without opposition, (upwards of 400 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 105 

men of the enemy having left York for the head of 
the lake, two days previous to the disembarkation.) 
Several hundred barrels of flour and provisions 
were found in the public store -house; also 5 pieces 
of cannon, 1 1 boats, and a quantity of shot, 
shells, and other stores ; all of which were either 
destroyed or taken away — a few prisoners were 
taken. The troops were re^embarked on the 1st 
August, having previously burned the barracks, 
and public store-houses — the expedition arrived 
at Niagara on the 3d. 

On the 7th August at day-light, Commodore 
.Chauncey discovered the enemy, consisting of 2 
ships, 2 i3rigs, and 2 large schooners, on Lake 
Ontario. He immediately weighed anchor, and 
manoeuvred to gain the wind. Both fleets conti- 
nued to manoeuvre for several hours, at a distance 
from each other of about 5 or 6 miles. Commodore 
Chauncey endeavouring in vain to bring the ene- 
my to action. Toward night it became quite 
calm, durinix which time the Commodore endea- 
voured to reach the enemy by sweeps, but without 
success. Wind, daring the night, was very 
squally. At day-light, on the 8th, discovered 
that 2 of the schooners, th^ Hamilton and Scourge, 
mounting together 19 guns, had foundered, and 
every soul on board them, except 16, perished. 
This accident gave the enemy a decided advan- 
tage, yet the Commodore oflered him battle, which 
was declined. — In the afternoon the wind fell away, 
and the Commodore again endeavoured to rench 
the enemy by means of his sweeps, but was again 
unsuccessful. During the afternoon, the enemy, 
taking advantage of a wind which sprang up, and 
brought him to windward, endeavoured to cut off 
the American schooners, but they were able to 
come into their station before he could reach them. 
Night comii g on, and the weather, as on the 
former night; squally, the Commodore, to giierd 



104- HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ao-aiiist furtlier accident, as well as to afford some 
rest to his men, who had been 4-0 hours at quar- 
ters, ran in toward Niagara, and anchored out- 
side the bar. Here he received on board, and 
distributed in different vessels, 150 men, to aid 
in boarding, in case he could close with the ene- 

Soon after day- light on the 9th, he discovered 
the enemy, weighed anchor, and stood after him. 
The winds were light and variable, and before 
noon quite calm ; at 5 P. M. the wind sprang up, 
pursued the probable course of the enemy during 
the night. In the morning of the 10th, discover- 
ed the enemy, and gave him chase; before the 
wind changed, brought the enemy to windward, 
by which he was again enabled to avoid an^ action. 
Both fleets continued manceuvering until 11, when 
a firing commenced between both fleets. The 
v/ind favoured the enemy, and enabled him to ef- 
fect one pvu'pose of all his long and cowardly 
manceuvering, by separating two vessels from the 
remainder of the squadron, and capturing the 
Growler and Julia. 

On the morning of the 11th, the Commodore 
got sight of the enerny, but he still refused battle, 
notwithstanding his increased advantage, by the 
capture of 2 vessels, and a wind favourable to 
him. A gale coming on, Commodore Chauncey 
returned to Sackett's Harbour, to obtain provi- 
sions, of v.'hich, his ships were nearly destitute. 

On the 7tb Septeml)er, the enemy's squadron, 
under command of Captain Yeo, was discovered 
close in with the Niagara river. Commodore 
Chauncey's fleet immediately weighed anchor, and 
prepared for action. The enemy sailed to the 
northward; the Commodore in pursuit. — The 
pursuit was continued all around the lake, until 
the morning of the 12th, when the enemy suc- 
ceeded in getting into Amherst-bay. During the 



HISTOKY OP THE WAR. 105 

•"base, there was a running fight, off Gencssee- 
river, which continued three and a half hours; 
the enemy suffered much ; the Americans did not 
lose a man. 

Commodore Chauncey continued to blockade 
the enemy in Amherst-bay, until the 17th Sept. 
when a heavy wind from the westward favoured 
hts escape into Kingston, and the American fleet 
returned to Sackett's harbour. After a few hours' 
delay at Sackett's harbour. Commodore Chaun- 
cey sailed again for Niagara, where he arrived on 
the 24th. On the 19th he saw the enemy off the 
False Ducks, but took no notice of him, in the 
hope that he might follow the commodore up the 
lake. 

On the 26th September, Commodore Chauncey 
learned that the enem^^'s fleet was in York-bay ; he 
prepared to weigh, but w^as prevented from get- 
ting out of the river before the evening of the 
27th. On the 28th the enemy was discovered un- 
der way in York bay ; the Americans formed a 
line for battle, and run down for the enemy's cen- 
tre. The enemy endeavoured to avoid an action. 
At ten minutes past 12, the enemy, in order to 
save his two rear vessels, was compelled to tack 
in succession, beginning at his van, when he hoist- 
ed his colours, and commenced a fire on commo- 
dore Chauncey's flag-ship, the general Pike, for 
the purpose of covering his rear, and attacking 
the American rear as he passed to leeward. By a 
happy manoeuvre, commodore Chauncey defeated 
this part of the adversary's plan, when the latter 
bore away. The American ships, however, closed 
so near as to bring their guns to bear ; and in 20 
minutes, the main and mizen top -masts and main 
yard of the Wolf were shot away. — This ship im- 
mediately put before the wind, and set all sail upon 
his main mast ; and by keeping dead before the 
wind, was enabled to escape. — The ehace wag 



106 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

continued until near S, P. M.. during which time 
the commodore's ship kept within point blank 
shot of the enemy, and sustained the whole of his 
fire during the chase. 

At 1 5 minutes past 3, the commodore was oblig- 
ed to give up the chase ; his ship w^as making wa- 
ter so fast, that it required all his pumps to keep 
her clear ; and others of his vessels were much da- 
maged. The enemy's fleet was within six miles of 
the head of the lake, where, owing to the stiffness 
of the gale, both fleets might go ashore at a place 
in possession of the enemy. The commodore, 
therefore, thought proper to proceed to Niagara. 
The general Pike suffered a considerable loss of 
men, among whom were 22 killed or wounded by 
the buri-ting of a gun. On the 1st October, the 
commodore sailed aijain from Niao-ara, takinor un- 
der convoy several boats with troops for Suckett's 
liarbour. liavin^ convoved these as far as it was 
deemed necessary for their safety, he left them to 
proceed coastwaysj and bent his course in search of 
the enemy. 

On the 2d October, at 10 A. M., the enemy was 
discovered steering a course for Niaoara. Com- 
rnodore Chauncey ordered a chase; the enemy 
avoided an eno-atrement as usual, and was far 
ahead by sun-down. On the morning of the Sd, 
the enemy was discovered at anchor close in with 
the land, between Twelve and Twenty-mile creeks, 
but made sail on discovering the American fleet. 
The chase continued all day: the enemy could 
barely be made out from the mast-head by sun- 
down. At day-liglit, on the ^th, lie could not 
be seen. The Commodore, suspecting that the 
enemy, availing himself of a very dark night, had 
shaped his course for Kingston, directed his course 
for the Ducks. — At S P. M. the Comm-odore dis- 
covered 7 sail near the false Ducks, gave chase, 
and at 4 o'clock, discovered them to be sloops and 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. i07 

schooners. At 5 P. M. gained considerably on 
them, which the enemy perceiving, he took the 
men out of a slow saihng gun-boat, and then 
burned her to prevent her capture. At sun-down, 
when opposite the Real Ducks, the Hamilton, 
(late Growler,) Confiance, (late Julia,) and Mary- 
Anne, struck their colours, and were taken pos- 
session of. The Drummond soon after struck to 
the Sylph; and on the following morning, the 
Sylph took possession of the Lady Gore. But 
one of the enemy's vessels, a small schooner, es- * 
caped, and she owed her safety to the darkness 
of the night. 

Commodore Chauncey proceeded to Sackett's 
Harbour with his prizes. The captured vessels 
mounted from 1 to 3 guns each, and were return- 
ing with troops from the head of the lake. The 
following are the number and description of 
troops of the enemy made prisoners on this occa- 
sion, viz. 1 major, 1 captain, 3 subalterns, 1 sur- 
geon, 10 sergeants, 4 drummers, 202 rank and 
file, of De Wattevile's regiment; 1 lieutenant, 2 
master's mates, 35 seamen and marines, of the 
royal navy; and 4 sailing masters of the provin- 
cial nav3^ 1 he enemy's squadron was seen go- 
ing into Kingston the same evening. 

It was cause of much surprise that the British 
were permitted to obtain an ascendancy as to ac- 
tual force on the lakes Champlain, Ontario, and 
Erie; if they did not make all the use of their 
numerical superiority which .they ought to have 
made, it must remain for themselves to explain. 
Commodore Yeo was brave, and an experienced 
officer. His apparently cowardly conduct on 
Lake Ontario, must have been the result of his 
private instructions. It must be confessed, that 
this surmise is ill supported when connected witli 
the policy of the British commanders on lakes 
Champlain and Erie. On both these lakes, tht^ 



105 HISTORY OF THE WAIL 

enemy reckoned on success, as what must certain- 
ly result from his superior tactics, supported by a 
superior force. He did try his strength and ta- 
lents against the Yankees, and with his ships and 
invincibility, handed over to the Yankees, all the 
laurels which were gleaned from every other naval 
power. — The American war, on the sea and the 
lakes, has disgraced, degraded, and humbled the 
proud mistress of the deep, and raised the aspir- 
ing and noble * minded American to a height, 
which every nation in the world, except England, 
has witnessed with a pleasure or enthusiasm, that 
speaks a language to the Briton, not equivocal, 
but galling, dreadful, ominous. 

For some time, the enemy assumed, and in 
fact, held the command of Lake Erie. His fleet 
•was commanded by an officer of experience, who 
tauntingly boasted of his superiority. — Commo- 
dore Oliver H. Perry was appointed to take com- 
mand of the American fleet. The following ex- 
tract of a letter from him to the secretary of the 
navy, was dated 4th August, and announced his 
intention of meeting the enemy. 

" I have great pleasure in informing you, that I 
have succeeded in getting over the bar, the United 
States' vessels, the * Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, 
Ariel, Scorpion, Somers, Tigress, and Porcupine. 
The enemy have been in sight all day, and are now 
about 4- leagues from us. We shall sail in pursuit of 
them at 3 to-morrow morning." 

The following official letters from the Commo-^ 
dore, are proofs of the modesty, as the result of 
the enoacrement was, of the undaunted heroism, 
and naval skill of this great commander. 
Copy of a Letter from Commodore Perry to the Sccre^ 

tary of the Navy. 
U. S. brig Niagara, off the Western Sis* 
ters, Head of Lake Erie, September 
10, 1813, 4- P.M. 

SiR,—.It has pleased the Almighty to give to the 



HiSTORY OF THE WAR. lOf 

arms of the United States, a signal victory over their 
enemies on this lake.. The Brldsh squadron, con- 
sisting of 2 ships, 2 brigs, 1 schooner, and 1 sloop, 
have this moment surrendered to the force under my 
command, after a sharp conflict. I Iiave the honour 
to be, &c. G. H. PERRY. 

Hon. W. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. 



Cojj^ of a Letter jrom Commodore Perru to the Seore- 

tar If of the Naxii/. 
U. S. schooner Ariel, Put-in-Bay, I3th 
Sept. 1813. 
Sir, — In my last I informed you that we had ca!3- 
tured the enemy's fleet on this lake. I have now the 
honour to give you the most important particulars of 
the action. On the morning of the 1 0th inst. at sun- 
rise, they were discovered from Pat-in-bay, when I 
lay at anchor with the squadron under my command. 
We got under way, the wind light at S. W. and stood 
for them. At 10 a. m. the wind hauled to S E. and 
brought us to M'indward ; formed the line and bore up. 
At 15 minutes before 12, the enemy commenced fir- 
mg; at 5 mmutes before 12, the action commenced 
on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, ow- 
ing to their long guiis, and its being mostly directed 
at the Lawrence, 1 made sail, and directed the other - 
vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the 
enemy. Every brace and bowline beinjj soon shotawav, 
me became unmanageable, notvyithstanding the great 
exertions of the sailing-master. In this situation slie 
sustained the action upv/ards cf two hours, within 
canister distance, until every gun was rendered use- 
less, and the greater part of her crew either killed or 
wounded. Finding she could no longer annoy the 
enemy, 1 left her in charge of Lieut. Yarnell, who, 
I Vv'as convinced, from the bravery already displayed 
by him, would do what would comport v/ith the ho- 
nour of the flag. At half past 2 the wind springing 
up, Capt.,EI;iot was enabled to bring his vessel, the 
1--Jiag:ira, gallantly into close action; i immediately 
went on board of he*", when he anticipated my wish, 
by voluntetring to bring the schooners, v/hich had 

^ K 



110 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

heen kept astern by the lightnes of the wind, 
into close action. It was with unspeakable pain, 
that I saw, isoon after I got on board the Nia- 
gara, the flag of the Lawrence Came down, al- 
though I was perfectly sensible, that she had been 
defended to the last, and that to have continued to 
make a show of resistance, would have been a wanton 
sacrifice of the remains of her brave crew. But the 
enemy M'as not able to take possession of her, and 
(Circumstances soon permitted her flag again to be 
hoisted. At 45 minutes past 2, the signal was made 
for " close action." The Niagara being very little 
injured, 1 determined to pass through the enem3'^'s 
line, bore up and passed ahead of their two ships and 
a brig, giving a raking fire to them from the star- 
board guns, and to a large schooner and sloop, from 
the larboard side, at half pistol-shot distance. The 
smaller vessels at this time, having got within grape 
and canister distance, under the direction of Captain 
Elliot, and keeping up a well directed fire, the two 
ships, a brig, and' a schooner, surrendered, a schoon- 
er and sloop making a vain attempt to escape." 



Extract of a letter from Commodore Perry, 

U. S. schooner Ariel, Put-in-Baj'', 15th 
September,- 1813. 
"I also beg your instructions respecting the wound- 
ed. I am satisfied, sir, that whatever steps I might 
take, governed by humanity, would meet your ap- 
probation. Under this impression, I have taken up- 
on myself to promise Captain Barclay, who is very 
dangerously v.'ounded, that he shall be landed as near 
Lake Ontario as possible, and I had no doubt but 
you would allow me to parole him." 

The follcY/ing is the statement of the respec- 
tive forces of the contendnig fleets. 

Statement of the force of the British Squadron. 

Ship Detroit, 19 guns — 1 on pivot, and 

2 hovv'itzers.^ 
Queen Charlotte, 17 do. 1 do. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. Ill 

Schr. Lady Prevost, 1 5 do, 1 do. 

Brig Hunter, 10 do. 

Sloop Little Belt, 3 do. 

Schr. Chippewa, 1 do. and 2 swivels. 

63 guns. 
Note. — The Detroit was a new ship, very strongly- 
built, and mounting long ^-i's, IS's, and 12's. 

Statement of the Jbrce of ike United States Squadron, 



Brig Lawrence, 


20 guns. 


Niagara, 


20 do. . 


Caledonia, 


3 do. 


Schr. Ariel, 


4 do, (1 burst early in ac 




tion.) 


Scorpion, 


2 do. 


Son^.ers, 


2 do. and 2 swivels. 


SJoop Trippe, 


1 do. 


Schr. Tigress, 


1 do. 


Porcupine, 


1 do. 



54 guns. 

The lossj on the part of the Americans, was 
as follows ; 



Lawrence, 

Niagara, 

Caledonia, 

So mars, 

Ariel, 

Trippe, 

Scorpion, 

27 ^ 123 

Two days previous to the action, 57 men unfit for 
duty in the smiiU vessels. 

While giving the Commodore's own account 
of this c'lccion, we cannot omit his laconic letter 
to Grencral Harrison. It Has been called, by a 





• 


'•^^ V . 


Killed, 


Wounded, Jj 


M • * 


22 


61 


83 


2 


25 


"27 




3 


3 




2 


2 


1 


3 


4 




2 


2 


2 ' 




2 



112 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

writer, " Csesarean brevit3\" Caesar said *' venl, 
vidij vici ;" bat Perry did not conquer merely by 
s]iowin<2: himself to an enemy, v/ho, reck(jninff on 
his own known su}}eriority of force, and presumed 
superiority in tactics, calculated with ^jeat cer- 
tainty on conquering the Yankees. The battle 
was vhard fought, and the loss on both sides very 
great. Perry might have said, " veni vici," or, as 
lie would translate the words of the Pi^oman cene- 
ral — "we met the enemy, and they are ours;" but 
the addition of " vidi" might favour the opinion 
that he won the battle from the timidity or inac- 
tivity of the enemy ; which would be depriving the 
brave Perry and his crew of more than half their 
merit. 

** U. S. bri'r Niaga7'a, c-ff" trie Western Sister^ 
head of lake Erie, Sept, 10, 1813, 4 P.M, 

*' Dear General, 

*' We have met the enemy, — and they are 
ours. Two shijis, two brigs, one schooner, and one 
sloop. Yours, with great respect and esteem, 

O. H. PERRY." 

Plitherto we have seen the enemy beaten ship 
to ship, 'but now we were to witness them 
fle^iBWiiet ; and a more decisive or splendid vic- 
tory was never achieved. " From the best in- 
formation, " says the lieroic Perry in a letter to 
general Harrison, *' we have more prisoners 
than we have men on board our vessels." 

Compared with this, all former naval victories 
lose their splendor ; even the great Nelson, were he 
alive, must rank below Perry. Nelson never cap- 
tured an entire fleet; Perry has, and that with a 
fleet inferior in ^size, v/eight of metal, and number 
of mc^i. 

The British fleet was commanded by Com. Bar- 
clay, an officer of great merit, and much loved by 
those under his command. At a public dinner 
given to this officer at Terrcbone, in Canada, he 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 115 

gave a toast, which, while it proves the candour of 
the commodore who gave it, is an indisputable 
proof of the merit of him whose name was the 
subject of it. The toast was in the following 
words : " Commodore Perry, the gallant and ge- 
nerous enemy." 

Soon after the victory on lake Erie, the Presi- 
dent of the United States appointed Oliver H. 
Perry to the rank of captain in the navy. 
^ The commodore was presented with the free- 
dom of the cities of New- York and Albany. 

The ■ thanks of Congress were voted to the 
commodore, his officers, -seamen and marines; 
and medals were presented to him and his officers. 

The thanks of the Senate of Pensyivania, with 
medals, were also voted to the commodore, and 
those brave men who served under him. 

Among the many testimonials of the gratitude 
of his fellow-citizens, too numerous to detail, the 
following particulars of a present from the citi- 
zens of Boston, deserves to be enumerated ; viz.' 

A salver, of an oblong square shape, 23 inches 
Ipag, by I6h wide, with a bright gadroon edge. 

Two ice pails, or decanter coolers, barrel shape, 
hooped round with a bright gadroon edge at top 
and bottom. 

Two pitchers of a .large size, Chinese shape, 
with tops, and bright gadroons at top and bottom. 

Two dozen tumblers, plain barrel shape, with 
gadroons at bottom. 

Wine glass coolers, each to hold a dozen glasses, 
oblong scjuare shape, standing on feet, with balls 
ornamented with a bright gadroon at bottom, 
and narrow rim at top, impressed with an ©ak 
leaf. 

A coffee pot, tea pot, sugar basin, cream ewer, 
tea caddy, and slop bov/1, — all of oblong shapes, 
standing on feet, with balls at the corners, orna- 
mented with deep borders, impressed vnth roses 

K 2 



114 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

and leaves, and with bright gadroons at top and 
bottom. 

The hirge pieces bear the following inscription : 



*' SEPTEMBER 10, 1813, 

signalized our Jirst iriumpk in squadron* — A very 

superior British force on Lake Erie, 

was entirely subdued by 

COM. O. H. PERRY; 

ijohose gallantry in action is equalled only hy his 

humanity in victory, 

PRESENTED 

in honour of the victor, hy the CITIZENS OF 

BOSTON," 



The capture of the British fleet removed the 
chief object to the capture of Maiden, and general 
Harrison made dispositions to avail himself of it. 
Boats were collected, and troops assembled. Go- 
Ternor Shelby arrived on the 1 7th September at 
the mouth of Portage river, with about 4000 vo- 
lunteers. Gen. M'Arthur joined the army in 
three days after, with his brigade from Fort 
Meigs. On the 2l6t, the embarkation of troops 
commenced. Put-in-bay island was the place of 
rendezvous. Commodore Perry's fleet, including 
Wie captured vessels, were engaged in protecting 
and assisting the men and boats, as well as in con- 
veying stores, baggage, &c. The army again em- 
barked on board the fleet and boats at Put-in bay, 
on the 25th, and arrived the same evening at the 
ICastern Sister, a small island about sixteen miles 
from Maiden, Here the expedition was detained 
some time by bad weather, during which time a 



HrSTORY OF THE WAR. 115 

reconnoissance of the enemy's coast was made by 
general Harrison and commodore Perry. A des- 
patch was also sent to apprize colonel Johnson 
of their movements, who, with his mounted rang- 
ers, was to co-operate in the reduction of Maiden. 

On the 27tli the army embarked at the Eastern 
Sister, and landed near Maiden, in excellent or- 
der. The enemy having previously evacuated 
^ the town, it was entered by the Americans without 
opposition. 

It has been remarked in the early part of this 
history, that previous to the surrender of De- 
troit to the enemy, the Indians, with the exception 
of a few who had joined the enemy, remained in- 
active, watching vAth their usual sagacity, until 
they could discover on what side victory was like- 
ly, to perch. True to their own insidious and 
cowardly policy, they v/ent over to the victorious 
Britons ; but no sooner was the effect of treason 
wiped off by the courage of patriots, than the sa- 
MS,ge withdrew from liis employers, and sought 
peace from those against whom he had so long 
raised the tomahavv'^k. — By an official letter, writ- 
ten by general M* Arthur to the secretary of war, 
and dated at Detroit, subsequent to tlie retreat of 
tiie British, it appears that five nations of Indians, 
viz. the Ottav/as, Cliippeways, Pattewattemies, 
MiamieSj and Kickapoos, have sued fur peace. 
By an agreement entered into betv/een them and 
Gen. M'Arthur, on the part of the Unrted States, 
" they have agreed to take hold of the same to- 
mahawk with us, (the people of the United States) 
and to strike all who are, or may be, enemies to 
the United States, whether British or Indians." 

After the evacuation of Maiden by the enemy, 
general Flarrison pursued the British, although 
he had very few horses, " scarcely sufficient to 
mount the general officers." whilst the retreating 
enemy had upwards of 1000 horses. Notwithstan- 



116 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ding alh these disadvantages, the Americans pur- 
sued their object with so much diligence, that they 
came up with the enemy. The force destined for 
this service, consisted of about 140 regulars, 
Johnson's mounted regiment, (Kentuckians,) three 
companies of col. Ball's legion, and such of gover- 
nor Shelby's volunteers as v^^ere fit for a rapid 
march : the whole .amounting to about 3500 men. 
During the pursuit, which was attended with se- 
vere privations, the whole army subsisting for se- 
veral days upon fresh beef, without bread or salt, 
and the infantry being without tents ; a considera- 
ble quantity of arms were taken during the pursuit, 
being deserted by the enemy, and much more de- 
stroyed ; these consisted chiefly of muskets taken, 
or rather given to them by the capitulation of De- 
troit ; two 2 i pounders, vvith their carriages, be- 
sides a large quantity of bails and shells, and two 
gun-boats, and several batteaux loaded with pro- 
visions and ammunition, fell into the hands of ge- 
neral Harrison. The destruction of these were 
attempted by the retreating enemy, but were saved 
by the activity of the pursuers. Near a place cal- 
led McGregor's Mills, on one of the branches of 
the river Thames, the Indians were placed in 
great numbers, to dispute the passage of the river. 
Upon the arrival of the American advanced guard, 
a heav}' fire was commenced on it by the Indians 
on the opposite side of the river. General Har- 
rison, expecting the attack would be supported 
by the whole force of the enemy, drew up his 
entire army in order of battle, and brought up two 
6 pounders to cover a party which was ordered to 
repair a bridge partially destroyed by the Indians. 
The Indians, as usual, when not early successful, 
fled, after suffering a considerable loss. The A- 
merican loss was 2 killed, and 3 or 4 wounded. 

On the 5th October, General Ilarrison came up 
with the eneiwy. The result cannot be given more 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 117 

satisfactorily tlian will be found in the follow- 
ing extract from his letter to the secretary of 

war. 

" From the place where our army was last halted, 
to the Moravian towns, a distance of about three 
and a half miles, the road passes through a beech fo- 
rest, without any clearing, and for the first two miles, 
i>ear to the bank of the river. At from two to three 
hundred yards from the river, a swamp extends paral- 
lel to it, throughout the whole distance. The inter- 
mediate ground is dry, and although the trees are 
tolerably thick, it is in many places clear of under- 
brush. 'Across this strip of land, its left appayed up- 
on the river, supported by artillery placed in the 
wood, their right in the swamp, covered by the whole 
of their Indian force, the British troops were drawn 
up. 

The troops at my disposal consisted of about 120 
regulars of the 27th regiment, 5 brigades of Kentuc- 
ky volunteer militia infantry, under his excellency 
Governor Shelby, averaging less than five hundred 
men, and colonel Johnson's regiment of mounted in- 
fantry, making in the whole an aggregate something 
above 3000. No disposition of an army opposed to 
an Indian force, can be safe, unless it is secured on 
the flanks, and in the rear. I had therefore no difS- 
culty in arranging the infantry conformably to my 
general order of battle. General Trotter's brigade 
of 500 men, formed the front line, his right upon the 
road, and his left upon the swamp ; general King's 
brigade, as a second line, 150 yards in the rear of 
Trotter's, and Chiles' brigade, as a corps of reserve, 
in the rear of it. These three brigades formed the 
command of major general Henry ; the whole of 
general Desha's division, consisting of two brigades, 
were formed en potence upon the left of Trotter. 

While I was engaged in forming the infantry, I 
had directed colonel Johnson's regiment, which was 
still in front, to be formed in two lines opposite to 
the enemy, and upon the advance of the infantry, to 
take ground to the left, and forming upon that flank, 
to endeavour to turn the right of the Indi-ans. A 



ns HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

moment's reflection, however, convinced me that 
from the thickness of the woods, and swampiness of 
the ground, they would be unable to do any thing oa 
horseback, and there was no time to dismount them 
and place their horses in security. I therefore de- 
termined to refuse my left to the Indians, and to 
break the British lines at once hy a charge of the 
mounted infantry ; the measure v/as not sanctioned 
by any thing I had either seen or heard of; but I 
was fully convinced that it would succeed. The A- 
merican backwoodsmen ride better in the woods than 
any other people. A musket or rifle is no impedi- 
ment to them, being accustomed to carry them on 
horseback from their earliest youth. I was persuad- 
ded, too, that the enemy would be quite unprepared 
for the shock, and that they could not resist it. Con- 
formably to this idea, I directed the regiment to be 
drawn up in close column, with its right at the dis- 
tance of fifty yards from the road, (that it might be 
in some measure protected by the trees from the ar- 
tillery,) its left upon the swamp, and to charge at 
full speed as soon as the enemy delivered their fire. 
The few regular troops of the 27th regiment, under, 
their colonel, (Paul,) occupied, in columns of sec- 
tions of four, the small space between the road and 
the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's ar- 
tillery ; and some ten or twelve friendly Indians 
were directed to move under the bank. The crotchet 
formed by the front line and general Desha's division 
was an important point. At that place the vener- 
able governor of Kentucky was posted, who, at the 
age of sixty-six, preserves all the vigour of youth, 
the ardent z^al which distinguished him in the revo- 
lutionary war, and the undaunted bravery which he 
manifested at King's mountain. With my aids-de- 
camp, the acting assistant adjutant general. Captain 
Butler, my gallant friend Com. Perry, who did me 
the honour to serve as my volunteer aid-de-camp, 
and brigadier general Cass, who, having no command, 
tendered me his assistance, I placed myself at the 
head of the front line of infantry, to direct the m.ove- 
ments of the cavalry, and give thara the necessary 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. Ho 

support. The army had moved on in this order but 
a short distance, when the mounted men received 
the fire of the British hne, and were ordered to 
charge ; the horses in the front of the column re- 
coiled from the fire ; another was given by the ene- 
my, and our column, at length getting in motion, 
broke through the enemy with irResistible force. In 
one minute, the contest in front was over. The Bri- 
tish officers, seeing no hopes of reducing their disor- 
dered ranks to order, and our mounted men wheel- 
ing upon them,, and pouring in a destructive fire, im- 
mediately surrendered. It is certain that 3 only 
of our troops were wounded in this charge. Upon 
the left, however the contest was more severe with 
the Indians. Colonel Johnson, who commanded on 
that flank of his regiment, received a most galling 
fire from them, which was returned with great ef- 
fect. The Indians, still farther to the right, advanced 
and fell in with our front line of infantry, near its 
junction with Desha's division, and for a moment 
made an impression on it. His excellency Governor 
Shelby, however, brought up a regiment to its sup- 
port ; and the enemy, receiving a severe fire in front, 
and a part of Johnson's regiment having gained their 
rear, retreated with precipitation." 

The active Indian Chief Tecumseb, after 
evincing great resolution, and continuing to fight 
although being badly wounded, fell, while direct- 
ing a deadly aim at Colonel Johnson. The invin- 
cible courage of the colonel, and his great pre- 
sence of mind, saved his own valuable life, and 
put an end to tliat of an irreconcileable foe. 
While the sanguinary Tecum'sch was aiming at 
the colonel, the latter, although wounded in seve- 
ral parts, and much exhausted, discharged his 
pistol with gr^at coolness, and brought the fero- 
cious savage to the earth, vvhere he was found 
dead. The American loss amounted to 7 killed 
and 22 wounded; the British loss was 12 killed, 
22 ',vjQundedj ar*d 60 T regulars taken prisoner*. 



120 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

The Indians, from the best information, suffered 
severely, S3 of them were found dead on the field. 
Six brass pieces of artillery, and two iron 24? 
pounders, and a large quantity of small arms, 
fell into the hands of the victors. Every Ameri- 
can vv'ill be pleased to learn, that among the field 
pieces, were three, which were taken from the 
British during the revolutionary war, bearhig the 
motto, '^surrendered hy Burgoyne at Saratoga^'' 
and lately surrendered to the enemy by General 
Hull. Major-Gencral Proctor, who commanded 
the ememy's forces, escaped with difficulty, accomx- 
panicd by about 50 persons, consisting chiefly of 
officers of the army. 

After this total defeat of the enemy, the militia 
were discharged, and General Harrison, with his 
disposable regular force, accompanied by Com^ 
Perry, arrived at Presquc-isle, on the 22d Octo- 
ber, from Detroit; from whence he sailed for 
Black Rock, with a view to co-operate with the 
army there or at Sackett's Harbour. By this ex- 
cursion, he, in the short space of less than a 
month, recovered the territory of Michigan, pu- 
nished, and forced into peace, the numerous 
hordes of savages, captured a British regular ar- 
my, brought security to the inhabitants of the 
north western frontier of the United States, and 
]piarched trium})hantiy through a great portion of 
the Upper Pro vi nee of Can ada. General Cass was 
left in the provincial government of Michigan 
territor3% 

The instances of successful bravery, which had 
hitlierto been frequent, were, in a manner, eclips- 
ed by the follov*Jug: 

Major George Oroghan, in the 22d year of his 
age, was left, by General Harrison, in conmiand 
of 160 men, and with l' six-pounder, at Fort 
Stephensor>, (LovrcV Sandusky.) 

lathe course of tv.o weeks, there had been no 



HISTORY OF THE \YaK 121 

fewev than ten rencounters ; in one of which, the 
enemy carried a block-house at Fort Madison, on 
the dOlh July, from which they attacked the fort, 
but without success. Four men were butchered 
in the block-house. 

It would appear, that it was General Harrison's 
intention, not to expose the small force at Fort 
Stephenson, to be cut off by an enemy very supe-^ 
rior in numbers ; and the major was, for a short 
time, sui:)ercedcd in the command, inconsequence 
of disobeying an order to burn and evacuate the 
fort; but, on his arrival at head-quarters of the 
iTcnerai, lie gave such satisfactory evidence of his 
ability to maintain the post, tliat he was imme- 
diately sent back, v/itii directions to resume the 
command. ' 

On tlie eveninnj of the 1st Aucrust, the British 
and Indians, who iiad come up the Sandusky 
river, from the bay, commenced from their boats 
a heavy cannonaduig upon the fort, aiid threw in 
a great number of shells from their bomb batteries. 
Tiie enemy continued his operations without suc- 
cess until the evening of the 2d, when, after 
throwin'i: a great number of balls from a six-'pound- 
er, at the north-west angle of the fort, for the 
purpose of making a breach, a cjlumn, under 
command of Lieutenant Colonel Short, advanced 
to the point on whieli the artillery had been play- 
ed, with intention of stormin*.;, but the judicious 
management of Miijor Cro^.^li.tn, foiled the enemy 
in his attempt. The ditch, which surrounded the 
works, was about eight feet wide, and of equal 
depth — this the eneiii}' had to enter before they 
could approach tlie pickets : (chrougli the top cf 
.each, a bayonet was driven in a horizontal direc- 
tion,) while in tins situation, the six-pouudcr, 
.which was masked in a block-house, and a ravine 
adjacent, poured upon the storming column a tre- 
.iuendous shower of musket-balls, wliich did* tcr- 

L ■■ 



122 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

liblc execution, and so confounded the assailants, 
that Lieutenant Colonel Short, who had previous- 
ly ordered his men to "scale the pickets, nd 
show the dannied Yankee rascals no quarters," 
exhibited a white handkercliicf as a signal of dis- 
tress, evincing his disposition to have quarters 
given him, alter he had proclaimed that the gar- 
rison should be massacred. It was, however, too 
]ote — tlie next discharge proved fatal — he fell — an.d 
Lieutenant Gordon of the !?9lh regiment, died by 
his side. This was nearly two hours before sun -set. 
The firing from tlie block-house was princi})ally 
directed at the enemy who had taken refuge in the 
direction of the ravine — tiie slaughter there was 
immense, and General Proctor, who commanded 
in person, ordered the allied enemy to retreat to 
their boats. The greater part of the night was 
occupied in carrying off the dead and wounded — 
from the number of trails discoyered in the grass, 
it is evident that no less tlian 50 of the dead were 
dragged away. About SO killed, includi'ig the 
two officers mentioned above, were left in the 
ditch and ravine — and 30 prisoners, 18 severely 
wounded, which General Proctor, in his Iiurry, 
left behind, were afterwards brought into tl:e fort. 
It is a fact, worthy of observation,^ that not one 
Indian was found auiong the dead, alihough it is 
know^i that from 3 to 400 were present, under 
the celebrated Captain Elliot. — The number of 
British regulars was 4.90, from the 4'9th regiment. 
Major Croghan had but 1 riian killed, and 7 
slightly v/oundcd. 

The British loss, by tlieir own confession, a- 
Kiom^ted to 91, exclusive of Indians. Tliere 
was, however,, suillcient evidence to justify the 
belief, that it v/as considerably more. . 
. Vvhen Colonel Elliot demanded the surrender 
©f the fort, he stated, that unless his demand was 
promptly acceded to, a general massacre would 



HISTORY OF THE WAR.- 125 

ensue. And when Colonel Short, who command- 
ed the British regulars, destined to storm the fort, 
had formed his troops in a line parallel with the 
ditch, he ordered tliem, in tiie h.earing of our men, 
to leap the ditch, cut down the pickets, and give the 
Americans no quarter. This barbarous order, which 
none but a savage could gi^'e, was not, however, 
permitted to go unpunislied ; for the words Vvcre 
hardly out of the month of the British command- 
er, when the retributive justice of Providence ar- 
rested him ; and tlie wretch was obliged to sue for 
thit mercy v/hich he had determined not to extend 
to others. It may be observed here, in honour of 
tlie cliaracter of the American soldiers, that al- 
though their little band were well aware of the 
fiite which the enemy had prepared for them., yet, 
they were no sooner subdued, than the Americans 
forgot the crim.es of the eneuiy iu their sufferings ;- 
and the wounded in the ditch, whose groans and 
constant calls for water, were heard by the men in 
the fort, were supplied with that necessary article, 
on the night succeedino; the discomfiture of the 
enemy, by the generosity of the Americans, who* 
with considerable hazard, ventured to risk their 
lives in order to alleviate the sufferings of the very 
men who had plotted their entire destruction. 

The brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel has been 
conferred bv the President of the United States 
on Major Croghan. 

The ladies of Chillicothe have presented him 
with a sword, and a flatteriufy address. 

On the Sd of June, a detachment of the enemy, 
with a number of gun -boats, fiom Lsle-Aux-Noix, 
succeeded in capturing the United States' armed 
vessels, Grovi'ler and Eagle, on Lake Champlain, 
after a well contested defence by the brave crews 
of these vessels, against a very superior force. 
The consequence was, that the enemy gained a 
very decided superioj'ity on the lake. 

The enemy reckoned on success in his failure 



124 HISTOFiY OF THE WAH. 

operations in this quarter, not onl}" from !iis own 
superior force, but alt^o from tlie unprepared state 
of the Americans. Com. Macdonou^h had not a 
sufficient number of seamen to man Ins sloops, 
and would be highly reprehensible bad he been de- 
feated in an attempt to recover tlie ascendency 
on the lake. There were no troops stationed at 
Plattsburgh. While things were thus situated, 
the British flotilla, consisting of two sloops of 
war, (the Eagle and Growler, lately captured,) 
three gun-boats, and forty-four batteaux, load- 
ed witli troops, sailors, and marines, about four- 
teen hundred in all, under the command of col- 
onel Murray, crossed the line at Champlain, on 
tlie SOth .July, and entered Piattsbm'gh on the 
following da}'. 

On the first information of the approach of 
tlie enemy, general Mooers gave orders for call- 
ing o'jt the militia; and when the enemy arrived, 
a-bout three hundred from Plattsburgh and tlie 
neighbouring towns had collected, who" retired 
back a few miiles, where they were joined by 
the residue of the regiment, from the county 
of Essex. 

Although the officers who had the command^ 
of the expedition, assured the civil authority of 
the village, that private property should be re- 
spected, and that citizens not in arms should re- 
main unmolested — yet these prom.ises were no soon- 
er made than violated ; the enemy, not satisfied 
with destroying the public buildings, such as the 
block-house, arsenal, -armory, hospital, and mili- 
tary cantonments, wantonly burned two store- 
liouses, belonging to Peter Sailly, esq. and one be- 
longing to major N. Z. Piatt— took, and carried 
of!' several thousand dollars worth of hardware, be- 
longing to Frothinham 8c Co. of Boston, whicli 
had been stored with Mr. Sailly, The destruc- 
tion of private projjcrty was not limited to such 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. 125 

as they could eat, drink, and carry av/ay, but 
furniture, which coukl not be of any use to the 
phinderers, was wantonly destroyed — tables, bu- 
reaus, clocks, desks, cupboards, and crockery, 
were cut and broken to pieces, and thrown about 
the houses — books and writings were torn to 
pieces, and scattered about the streets. 

The various excesses of the enemy, during 
their short visit to Plattsburg, are described by 
several respectable authorties, to be enormous^ ' 
cruel, and wanton, in a high degree. — '* Well 
was it," says one of the witnesses of the scene, ^ 
" for our wives, i^isters, and daughters, that 
they remembered the excesses at Hampton, and 
trusted not their persons to the mercy of the in- 



vaders." 



On Sunday, the faithless ruffians, the unprin- 
cipled invaders, re-embarked, and stood out of 
the bay. They took a Durham boat, loaded 
with flour, and eight sloops, one of v/hich they 
burned. 

On their return to Point-au-Iioche, the ere.*- 
of one of the boats landed, and part went to the 
house of a Mr. Wilhams; they found his wife 
out of the house ; two of tiiem v/ent in, to keep 
the husband in check, while the third attempted 
to gratify his brutal desires upon her. Her Ims- 
banci, hearing her screams, came to her assist- 
ance, and in the struggle the woman discharged 
the villain's gun, disengaged the bayonet there- 
from, which she stuck twice into his ov.m back, 
and wounded him pretty severely : the other two 
fled, and Mr. Williams and his wife bound, the 
rascal, and sent him in ; the inhabitants on Point*- 
au- Roche took the skiff in which they came, and 
the other soldiers. 

The United States' troops at Burlington, un- 
der the command of major general Hampton, 
consisted of about 4000 men. They were und^r 

X. 2 



V26 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

arm?; waiting tbe approach of the enemy, and 
would, undoubtecfly, have defended theii post 
against any attack they could have made on it. 

On the 3d August the enemy appeared be- 
fore Burlino'ton, and fired into the town for 
some tmie, but no considerable dama<Te was done. 
In the eveninn^ of the. same day, a detachment 
proceeded to Slielburne, four or five miles south 
of Burlington, where they seized a sloop, with 
about four hundred barrels of flour. The limit- 
ed force under general Kampton would not 
justify his detaching any part of his troops from 
the protection of property and stores under 
his immediate care : the marauding enemy wise- 
ly retired before reinforcements could have ar- 
rived. 

It was the intention of the United States' gov- 
ernment to make an attack on Montreal, before 
the winter would put an end to the campaign. 
The effecting of this object would give to the 
United States the entire command of Upper 
Canada, completely subdue the Indians, regain 
the confidence of the Canadians, which was sus- 
pended by the sudden retreat, and subsequent 
conduct of general Hull, and make an impression 
on the enemy which must incline him to peace, 
on just and lionourable terms. A large force 
was. ordered to Sackett's Harbour; and general 
Wilkinson, v.'ho had the chief command, was or- 
dered to use Ills utmost effort, and the greatest 
possible expedition in carrying the design into 
effect. 

On the 1st Novem/oer, 1813, general Wilkin- 
son's army began its movements from Grenadier- 
Island, down the St. Lawrence. They had not 
proceeded far before the advanced corps, under 
general Brown, was attacked by the enemy from 
the shore. On returninir the fire the enemy dis- 
parsed, and the army advanced. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 127 

The movements of the army under general 
Hampton were intended to fatilitate those of 
general Wilkinson ; and both armies were 
finally to unite, previous to tlie attack on Mont- 
real. 

The army under general Ham])ton moved from 
Chateaugay on the 21st October, and arrived 
at its position at Sears' on the 22d— thus liaviog, 
witii incredible labour, surmounted tv,enty-four 
miles of the most difficult part of the route, 
through the extensive and almost impassable fo- 
rest, which bounds the Canada line. After four 
or fiwe miles of open country, another forest of 
v«;ix or seven miles was opposed to their march, 
(which was on the north-west side of the river.) 
This the enemy liad made almost an entire forti- 
fication, by crossing it with felled trees, inter- 
spersed vvith breast- works and ditches : throuirh 
these obstructions the enemy v/as to be assailed — 
a part of their forces, consisting of light troops 
and Indians, were' posted in these defences, while 
the main bodV, commanded by Sir George Pre- 
vest, in person, w^ts lodged in the rear, fortifi- 
ed ^vitli batteries and cannon. The hardsljips the 
American army had endured, the continual rains 
tliat were fldling, and the obstructions in front, 
would have damped the ardour of troops less dis- 
posed to disregard all sullerings and perils in pur- 
suit of glory, and in the service of tlieir country; 
but on tlie contrary, partaking largely of the spi- 
rit Vvhich inspired their commander in cljief, eve- 
ry individual seemed uncommonly emulous of the 
enterprize. 

It was believed that the obstructions could not 
be forced by the niain body without great loss. 
To avoid this, the light companies and a regiment 
of infantry were detached at dark, on the evenir^g 
of the 25th, to proceed on the opposite (S. E.) 
side of the river, to a fording place below the 



32S HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

enemy's advance, which they v/ere to cross, and at- 
tack the enemy in flank and rear, while the main 
bod}^ should attack in front — and thus destroy the 
eDem3^'s defence at a blow. Owing to the dark- 
ness of the night, incessant rain, and tlie difficulties 
of the wood, tiie guide who conducted this detach- 
ment having lost his way, the party did not arrive 
at the proposed point. The battahon of the 10th 
regiment, consisting of about 200 men, were, at 
the appointed time, (3 o'clock, P. M. on the 26th) 
at the entrance of the obstructed wood, waiting 
the attack of the troops on the enemy's flank, 
v/hich was to be the signal for them to advance. 
At this moment, the enemv commenced a fire on 
tins battalion, who promptly returned it, then 
charo'cd and drove the enemv from their lurkina: 
places, dispersing them entirely, and silencing 
their fire. In this the Americans had only one 
man killed, and some 3 or 4 wounded. At this 
moment, the firing commenced on the opposite 
iJide of the river, with some of the light compa- 
nies; and it was here, and 'not in either of the 
main divisions of the army, that any serious loss, 
or the least confusion, occurred. The enemy 
was, however, soon dispersed in this quarter also. 
After v/aitin^f some time for the renewal of the ene- 
my's attack, the miiin body of the American array 
fell back slowly and in good order, the enemy not 
dariu'T to show themselves, or in the least to inter- 
rupt their march, to a position 4 miles from the 
place of action. Here they were shortly after join- 
ed by the detached party, who had had some farther 
skirmishing with the enemy, of no great account. 
At this place they remained several days, v/ithout 
receiving the least molestation. The only failure 
of the expedition is attributable to the miscarriage 
of the guide, which disconcerted a plan that other- 
wise must have led to the capture of a consider- 
able portion of the enemy's force, and the com- 
plete destruction of his plan of defence. 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. 1'29 

The American actual total loss, in killed, woun- 
ded, ajid mii^sing, did not exceed 36 men. The 
whole American fr.rce engao-ed, did not exceed 
253 men, on the side v/here the greatest force of 
the enemy were opposed. The other regiments 
did not arrive until t4ie moment when tlie enemy 
were retiring, and were only formed, and in line, 
but took no part in the engagement. 

Colonel Purdv, who commanded the detach- 
ment whitjh foug-ht this battle, in his report to ge- 
neral Wiikhison, is yeYj free of his censure of ge- 
neral Hampton. '' Incredible" says the coloneh 
"as it may ajipear, general Hampton entrusted 
nearly one" half of his army, and those his best 
troop's, to the guidance of men, each of whom 
repeatedly assured him, that they were not ac- 
quainted with the country, and were not compe- 
tent to direct such an expedition." 

" Towards sun-down," says the cclonel, " I sent 
gen, Hampton a request that a regiment maght 
be ordered down to cover my landing on the op- 
posite side of the river; but judge my surprise on 
receiving intelhgence tliat he had retreated with 
the second brigade, nearly three miles." 

" Never, to my knowledge," says the colonel, 
in another part of his despatch, " during our 
march into Canada^ and wiiile we remained at the 
Four Corners, a term of 26 days, did gen. Hamp- 
ton ever send off a scouting or reconnoitring par- 
ty, (except in one or two cases, at Spears' in Ca- 
nada, when he detached a few dragoons for this 
duty;) nor did he, from the time we commenced 
our march from Cumberland head, to our arrival 
at Plattsburgh, ever order a front, flank, or rear 
guard to be kept up, though a great part of the 
time we were in situations w^hich evidently requir- 
ed it.- True it is, these guards were occasionally 
sent out ; not, however, by his order, but by ths 
orders of the officers commanding brigades," 



130 IIISrORY OF THE WAR. 

The colonel wi*ad:3 up his charges against gene- 
ral Hampton, by sa^an^^, "such has been the ge- 
neral's ccndnct, on some occasions, that I liavej 
in common with other oiiicers, been induced to be- 
lieve that he was under the influence of a too free 
use of spirituoiLS liquors," 

The official account of this action, by the Bri- 
tish general^ Bayiics, is very different from the a- 
bove, but so improbable and Y\'ide from the truth, 
that it may, v/ith much sai'ety, be averred, that 
it (lid not meet belief from a single reader of any 
party. 

As soon as general Wilkinson passed Kingston, 
and that it became evident he must have desioned 
the taking of Montreal, the troops which were sta- 
tion.cd for the defence of Kingston, were employed 
in annoying and dehiying the progress of the A- 
merican army. " The corps of the enemy" sajs 
general Wilkinson, in his ojfticial report to the se- 
cretary of war, " from Kingston, which followed 
nie, hung on my rear, and in concert with a heavy 
galley, and a few gun-boats, seemed determin- 
ed to retard my progresfi. I was strongly temp- 
ted to" halt, turn about^ and put an end to his 
teasing ; but alas ! I was confined to my bed ; 
major general Lewis was too ill for any active ex- 
ertions ; and above all, I did not dare suffer my- 
self to be diverted a single day from the prosecu- 
tion of the views of government." 

On the 10th about noon, General Brown, who 
wasYvith his command in front, and some distance 
below the main body of the army, was engaged 
with the enemy, at the moment when a strong 
party of the enemy advanced on the rear of Gene- 
ral Wilkinson, witli several gallics and gunbotits; 
from whence they commenced a fire, but were 
soon compelled to retire from the fire of a battery 
of 18 pounders, planted on the occasion. Wil- 
kinson's anny came to for the niglit, a short dh^ 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, W 131 

tancc above the Longue Saut; it was intended to 
piios it'that day, but tiie delaj/s occasioned by disem- 
barking and re-en)barkin i;'1iea vy guu^;, prevented the 
army from reacliing the Saut as early as expected ; 
and the pilots would not dare enter the Saut, (a rapid 
of 8 miles,) at a late hour. At 10 o'clock tiie follow- 
ing day. General Wilkinson received advice, that 
Generad Brown, having forced the enemy, would 
arrive at the foot of the haut early in the day. Or- 
ders were immediately given for the flotilla to sail, 
at which moment, the enemy's gun-boats appear- 
ed, and began to throvv^ shells among the Ameri- 
can flotilla. General Vvlikirison, caiculatinc: from 
reports and appearances, that the enemy only look- 
ed for a favourable opportunity for attack, had de- 
termined to anticipate him. "Directions," says 
General Wilkinson, "v*ere accordingly sent, by 
that distingrdshed officer. Colonel Swift, of the 
engineers, to Brig. Gen. Boyd, to throw the de- 
tachments of his coqimand, assigned to liim in the 
order of the preceding day, and coin]:;Osed of men 
of his own, Cc/vington's and Swartwout's bri- 
gades, into 3 colunms, to march upon the enemy, 
outilank him if possible, and take his artillery. The 
action socm after commenced with the ai:[vanced 
body of the enemy, and became extremely sharp, 
and galhng, and, with occasional pauses, not 
sustained v/ith great vivacitj-, in open sp nee, and 
fair combat, for upwards of two and a half hours — 
the adverse lines alternately yieldinof and advanc- 
mg. It 13 impossible to say, vatii accuracy, v;hat 
was our number en the field, because it consisted 
of indefinite detachmenis taken from the boats, 
to render safe the pa .ige of the Saut, Generals 
Covington and Swartwout, voluntarily took part in 
the action, at the head of dotachmems, from their 
respective brigades, and exhibited the same cou- 
rage tiiat was displayed by Brig. Gcu. Boyd, who 
happened to be the senior ofiicer on the ground. — 



132 <§| HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

Our force engaged might have reached 16 or 1700 
men, but actually did not exceed 1800; that of 
the enemy was estiniatcd from 1200 to 2,000, but 
did not probably amount to more than 15 or 1600 
— coui-ibting, as I am mformed, of detachments 
from the VJth, 84th, and 104th regiments of the 
lino, with three companies of the Voltigeur and 
Glenoary corps, and the militia of the country, 
who are not included in the cstiniate." 

This battle (the battle of Williamsburgh,) was 
contested with a courage and obstinacy, that per- 
haps had no parallel. To witness undisciplined 
troops, and inexperienced officers, substituting 
courage and j.atriotism in place of military know- 
ledo-e; and thus opposed, for 3 hours, to a regular 
army, was a sight on which the guardian angel of 
America, must have locked with exulting gratifi- 
cation. Amidst a shower of musketry and 8hrap- 
nel'shells, the brave Americans, insensible to fear, 
dashed into the ranks of the enemy, v/hose position 
was strengthened l)y ravines and thickets. The 
enemy retired for more than a mile before the re- 
solute and repeated charges. The brigade, first 
entrao-ed, liad expended its ammunition, and was 
compelled to retire, in order to procure a supply. 
This movejuent so disconcerted the line, as to ren- 
der it expedient for another brigade to retire. T he 
artillery, ov/ing to the nature of the ground, could 
not be brought up until after this event. The fire 
from the artillery was very destructive to tlie ene- 
my ; but v/hen dnected to retire, in passing a deep 
ravine, one piece was lost, but not until after the 
fail of its gallant commander, Lieutenaiit ISmyth, 
and most of his men. - 

The whole of the line was re-formed en the bor- 
ders of those woods from which the enemy had 
first been driven, when, night coming on, and the 
storm continuing, and the object of attack having 
been fully acconiphshed, the troops were directed 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. '* 'l33 

to return to the ground near the flotillp, v/hich 
movement wiis executed in good order, and with- 
out any interruption from the enemy. 

General Covington received a mortal wound, 
%hiie leadina' his men to a successful charo-e. — Co- 
Ion el Preston was severely wounded, while light- 
ing at the head of his regiment. Mai or Cummintjs' 
received a severe wound, while making a charge, 
but yet continued to /ight until exhausted by the 
loss of blood,. General Boyd has ttiken particular 
notice, in his official despatch, of the merits of 
Brig. Gen. Swartwout; Colonels Coles, Walback, 
Johnson, Pierce, Gaines, Ripely, and Aspinv/all; 
Majors Morgan, Grafton, Gardnerr, Beebe, and 
Chambers; Lieutenants Henry, Whiting, and 
Worth. The general concludes his report in the 
following words : " Permit me now to add, sir, 
that thougli the result of this action was not /jo 
brilliant and decisive as I could have wished, and 
the first stages of it seemed to promise, yet, when 
it is recollected, that the troops had been long ex- 
posed to hard privations and fatigues, to inclement 
storms, from v/hich they could have no shelter; 
that the enem3^ were superior to us in numbers, 
and greatly superior in position, and supported by 
7 or 8 heavy gun-boats ; that the action being un- 

, expected, was necessarily conmienced, witliout 
"much concert; that we were, by linavoidable cir- 
cumstances, long deprived of our artillery ; and 
•that the action was Warmly and obstinately contest- 
ed for more than three hours, during which there 
xvere but a few short cessations of musketry and 
cannon ; when all these circumstances are recollect- 
ed, perhaps this day may be thought to have add- 
ed some reputation to the American arms. And 
if^ on this occasion, you shall believe me to have 

, -done my duty, and accomplished any one of your 
purposes, I shall be satisfied." 

-After this engagement, the troops proceeded 

M ■. 



154. , HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

down the river without fartlier pniioyniice from 
the enemy or their gun -boats, while tlie dragoons, 
with five pieces of artillery, marched dovvii the 
Canada shore without molestation. — The next 
morning the flotilla passed through the Saut, and 
joined General Brown, near Cornwall. 

On the arrival of General Wilkinson with Ge- 
neral Brown, he learned that Genei'al Hampton, 
instead ofmxeetinghim near that place, was march- 
ing towards Lake Charjfiplain. The letter of Ge- 
neral Hampton, announcing this unexpected 
movement, together with a copy of that to which 
it was an answer, were immediately submitted to 
a council of war, who unanimously gave it, as 
their opinion, " that the attack on Montreal should 
be abandoned for the present season, and the ar- 
my near Cornwall should be immediately crossed 
to the American shore, for taking up winter quar- 
ters, and that this place afforded an eligible posi- 
tion for ijuch quarters." • 

Thus ended the camnaian, and an expedition 
which seemed, in every respect, well calculated to 
effect its object. 

General Wilkinson, who attributed the fai- 
lure of this expedition to " the extraordinary, 
linexampled, and it appears, unwarrantable con- 
duct of major-general Hampton, in refusing to 
ioin this armv, with a division of 4000 men, un- 
der his command, agreeable to orders," in a let- 
ter to the secretary of war, of 15th November, 
writes — 

" It is a fact, for winch I am authorised to 
pledge miyself, on the most confidential author- 
ity, tirsat on the 4th of the present month, the 
British garrison of Montreal, consisted solely 
of 400 mariners, and 200 sailors, which had been 
sent up from Quebec. We have, with the pro- 
vision liere, and that left at Chateaugay, about 
forty days subsistence, to which I shall add thir- 
ty more/' 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. ]35 

In a letter of tlie 1 7th November, general Wil- 
kinson writes — 

" After what has passed between us, you can 
perhaps conceive niy amazeiirent and chagrin, 
at the conduct of major-general Flampton. The 
game was- in view, aixl had lie performed the 
junction directed, would have been ours in eight 
days. But he chose to recede, in order to co- 
operate, and my dawning hopes, and the hopes 
and honour of the armv, were blasted." 

Tlie loss at the battle of Wiiliamaburgh, in 
Upper Canada, consisted of 102 killed, 339 
wounded, including officers. The enemy's loss 

- was represented, by authority worthy of credit, 
to exceed 500 in killed and wounded. 

Statement of the strength of the enemy, in the ac- 
tien of the 11th November, 1813, on Kesler's field, 
in Y/iliiamsburgh, in Upper Canada— foujided vit 
the separate examination of a number of British 
prisoners taken oi^the field of bat lie. 

Of the S9th regiment, 760 

-i-Qth do. 450 

Voltigeurs's, 270 

Glengary's, 80 one company. 

Of the iOOth, - 40 a detachment from 

Prescott. 

Canadian Fencibles, 220 

- Indians, 40 
Incorporated militia, BOO 



2160 , 

Four pieces of mounted artillery, and seven gua , 
boats, one mounting a tv/enty-four pounder. 

After the troops went into winter quarters, a 
placard was distributed in the American camp, 
of which the following is a copy.^ 

" To tJie American army at Salmon River, 
" NOTICE. — All American soldiers v/ho are willing 



136 HISTORY OF THE WAS. 

to quit the unnatural Vv^ar in which they are at present 
engaged, will receive, at the British outposts, the 
arrears due to them by the American government, to 
the extent of five months pay. No man shall be re- 
quired to serve against his own country." 

This produced no desertions, nor any other 
effect, except contempt of the wretched author 
of the placard. 

A very handsome aiTair wtiS executed the 1 2th 
October, by a party of men, under command of 
colonel Isaac Clark. The colonel, with his par- 
ty, left Chazy landing, so as to arrive at Massas- 
qiioi-bay at an earlv hour in the mornino-. He 
arrived inipcrceived within a few roods of the 
enemy, who were drawn up in order of battle, 
by their commander, major Powell. The enemy 
commenced a fire^ on the left flank, but in ten 
minutes after the first attack, they laid down their 
arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of 
war. 

Colonel Clark despatched captain Finch, with 
his company, to reconnoitre the course. of a body 
of about 200 men, who were supposed to be ad- 
vancing against him. Captain Finch proceeded 
with such promptness and ability, as to surprise 
and capture the advanced guard, consisting of 
cavalry, except one man, who fled, and, giving 
the information, the enemy escaped. 

The prisoners were then put on board boats, 
and sent to Burlington. 

The whole American force eno-a^^ed was 102. 
The number of prisoners taken was 101 ; the 
killed and wounded of the enemy 23. 

The success of this expedition was materially 
aided by a knov.ledge of the country, into which 
he marched, which a commander of an expedi- 
tion should always be full master of. 

The following gallant action will be best de- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 137 

tailed by giving the official report, wliicli was made 
in the followiiig wo'/ds : 

^''Charleston, (S, C J August 21 y 1813. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform you, that the 
privateer schooner Decatur of this port, arrived 
here yesterday, with H B. M. schooner Dominico, 
her prize. She was captured on the 5th inst. after 
a most gallant and desperate action of one hour, 
and carried by boarding, having all her officers kill- 
ed or wounded, except one midshipman The Do- 
minico mounts 15 guns, one a 32 pounder, on a pi- 
vot, and had a complement of 8^3 men at the com- 
mencement of the action, 60 of whom vi^ere killed 
or v/ounded. She was one of the best equipped and 
manned vessels of Jier class I have ever seen. The 
Decatur mounts 7 guns, and had a complement of 
103 men at the commencement of the action, nine- 
.teen of whom were killed and wounded. I have 
the honour to be, with great respect, your most obe* 
di^nt servant, 

JOHN H, DEN^T, 
Hon. Wm. JoDes, Secretary of the Navy." 

During the combat, vdiich lasted an hour, tlie 
king's packet ship, PrinccsG Charlotte, remained a 
silent spectator of the scene, and as soon as- the 
vessels v/ere disenora^ed from each other, she tack- 
ed about, and stood to the southward. She had 
sailed from St. Tlionias, bound to England, un- 
der convoj, to a certain latitude, of the Domiui"« 

CO. 

The loss on board the Dominico consisted of 
killed 13, v/ounded 47, 5 of whom mortally. 

On the Uth of this month, (August, '^ISiS,) 
the U. S. brig Argus was captured by the Bri- 
tish sloop of war Pelican. The Argus sailod 
fiOJi New- York, the 2ist June, for France, and 
arrived at Le Orient, after a passage of 23 days, 
where Mr. Crawford, minister from the United' 

U 2 



15$ HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

States to the court of France, landed. From Le 
Orient the Argus sailed on a cruise, in the Bri- 
tish channel, where she fell in with the British 
sloop Pelican, fitted out for the purpose of taking 
the Argus* The action was well supported by 
the Americans for 40 minutes, v/hen the enemy 
succeeded in capturing the Argus, by boarding. 
The number of killed and wounded on board the 
American will best explain the bravery w^ith which 
the ship was defended against a vessel which the 
British editors acknowledged to be superior in 
size and armament. Killed on board the Argus, 
2 midshipmen, 4 seamen — wounded, mortally, 
Capt. Wm. W. Allen, commander, 1 carpenter, 
1 boatswain's mate, 1 seaman — wounded, severely, 
Lieut. Watson, 1 quarter-master, 3 seamen, 1 
carpenter's mate;wounded slightly, 8 ; total, 24. 

When captain Allen was removing out of the 
Argus, to be removed to the hospital, he exclaim- 
ed, " God bless you, my lads, w^e shall never meet 
again." 

The Argils, previous to her capture, had taken 
and destroyed 21 sail of British vessels. 

The following statement will show the force of 
the two vessels. 

Argus, — 16 24 pound carronades, 2 long 9s. 
Burthen 298 tons, 94 men fit for duty, 5 sick, 
the rest absent in prizes. 

Pelican, — 22 32 pound carronades, 2 long 9s, and 
2swivels. Burthen 584 ton?, 179 men, 11 of them 
volunteers for the occasion, from slnps at Cork. 

On the Sth September, the U. S. brig Enter- 
prize, William Burrows, commander, fell in with 
H. B. M, brig Boxer, captain Blythe. The 
British brig v,^as discovered at anchor, in shore, 
at 5 o'clock, A. M. Penmaquid bearing north 8 
miles distance. After some manoeuvring, the brigs 
approached at a quarter past 3 P. M. with- 
in half pistol shot cf each other, when tile 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. ^.39 

action commenced. At 20 minutes past S, the 
bmve commander of the Enterprize fell, mortally 
wounded. While lying on the deck, he refused 
to be carried below, raised his head, and requested 
" that the flag might never be struck." Thus lay 
the intrepid Burrows, until he learned the result of 
the action, when, clasping his hands, he said, " I 
die contented " He was then taken below, and 
died in 8 hours afterv/ard. At 4, P. M. the enemy 
ceased firing, and cried out for quarters ; saying, 
that as their colours were nailed, they could not 
haul them down ; — a suiScient proof that it was 
resolved never to yield to a Yankee GX^W' Some 
of the crev\r of the Boxer have acfcnowledged 
that she left port with a complement of 115 picked 
men, for the, purpose of taking the Enterprize — 
that 6 men were put on board a prize, and 6 asliore 
on the island of Maiihiggen, leaving on board, 
when the action commencetl, 104, which account 
agrees with the muster-book, found on board of 
the Boxer. The number of killed and v/ounded 
onboard the Boxer, could. not be ascertained 
with certainty, as many of tlie former were thrown 
overboard. "The senior officer oF the Enterprize 
states it, from the best information he could ob- 
tain, at between 20 and 30 killed, and 14 wound- 
ed. Capt. Blythe, the commander of the Boxer, 
was among the killed. The following extract of 
a letter trom Capt. Hull to Com. Bainbridge, is 
too important to be omitted. 

"I yesterday visited the two brigs, and was astcnish- 
ed to see the difterence of injurj^ sustained in the ac- 
tion. The Enterprize has bat one 18 pound shot in 
her hull, one in her main-mast, and one in her fore- 
mast ; her sails are much cut with grape shot, and 
there are a great number of grape lodged in her sides, 
but no injury done by them. The Boxer has eigli- 
teen or twenty 18 pound shot in her hull, most of 
them at the water's edge ; several stands of 18 pound 



140 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

grape stick In her side, and such a quantity of small 
grape, that I did not undertake to count them. Her 
masts, sails, and spars are literally cut to pieces ; se- 
veral of her guns dismounted and unfit for service ; 
her top-gallant forecastle nearly taken OiT by the 
shot ; her boats cut to pieces, and her quarters in- 
jured in proportion. To give you an idea of the 
quantity of shot about her, I inform you, that I 
counted in her main-mast alone, three 18 pound shot 
holes, 18 large grape shot holes, 16 musket ball holes* 
and a large number of smaller shot holes,- and without 
counting above the cat harpins. We find it impos- 
sible to get at the nymber killed ; no papers are 
found by v/hich we can ascertain it. I, however, 
counted upwards of 90 hammocks which were in her 
netting, with beds in them, besides several beds with- 
out hammocks. She has excellent accommodations 
for all her officers below in state rooms, so that I 
have no doubt that she had 100 men on board. We 
know that she has several of the Rattler's men, and 
a quantity of wads was taken out of the Rattler, load- 
ed with 4 large grape shot, with asmall hole in the centre, 
to put in a cartridge, that the inside of tlie wad may 
take lire when it leaves the gun. In short, she is in every 
respect completely fitted ; and her accommodations ex- 
ceed any thing I have seen in a vessel of her class." 

If there is an American who would deny the 
honour due, en this occasion, to the American 
tars, let him read the following, from a London 
paper, and yield, however reluctantly^, the palm 
to the first nation in the world, the hitherto des- 
pised citizens of the United States. The follow- 
ing is a copy of the extract alluded to. 

" Among tlie American news, which is to be found 
in the papers just received from that country, it pains 
us to find a full confirmation of the loss of his maj. brig 
Boxer, which has added another laurel to the naval ho- 
nours of the United States. The vessel by which she was 
captured, is represented (falsely, we believe) as of 
only equal force with herself; but what we regret 
to perceive stated, and trust will be found much ex« 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. Ul 

-SL^gerated, is, that the Boxer was literally cut to 
pieces, in sails, rigging, spars, and hull ; while the 
Enterprize, her antagoaist, was in a situation to com- 
mence a sin^ilar action immediately afterwards. The 
fact seems to be but too clearly established, that the 
Americans have some superior mode of liring ; and 
we cannot be too anxiously employed in discovering 
to vv'hat circumstances that superiority is owing.. The 
Boxer was certainly not lost for want of heroism. 
The British captain nailed his colours to the mast, 
and happily did not live to see them struck. Both 
ccmmanders died during the action, which appears 
to have been of the most desperate kind ; and both 
were buried at the same time, in the port to which 
the prize was carried." 

The loss oa board the Enterprize was — 1 ordi- 
nary seanian killed ; 1 commander (Burrows) 1 
midshipman, (K. Waters) 1 carpenter's mate, m.or- 
tally wounded ; 3 quarter-masters, 1 boatswain's 
mate, 5 seamen, one marine, wounded; total, 14. 

The remains of the gallant commanders, (Bur- 
rows and Biythe) were buried in Portland, with 
military honours. Capt. Biythe, of the Boxer, 
was one of the pall-bearers at the funeral honours 
paid to the late Capt. La^vrence, at Halifax. 

The following memorial was caused to be in- 
scribed on the monument of the gallant Lieut, 
Burrows, of. Portland, by Mr. M. L. Davis, of 
New- York : 



BENEATH THIS STONE 

Moulders 

THE KODY OF 

WILLIAM BURROWS, 

Late Commander of the 

UNITED STATES' BRIG ENTERPRIZE, 

Who was mortally wounded on the 5th of September, 

1813, ill an action which contributed to increase 

the fame of American valour, by capturing liis 

BiUT. MAJESTY'S BRIG BOXER, 

after a severe contest of 45 minutes. 



142 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

A passing stranger has erected this monument of re-v 
spect to the manes of a patriot, who in the hour of 
peril, obeyed the loud summons of an injured 
country, and who gallantly met, fought and con- 
qtiercd the foeman. 

The U. S. brio; Enternrize v/as formerly a 
schooner, and is the same vessel with which 
lieutenant Sterrett, in August, 1801, captured, 
without the loss of a man, the Tripolitan ship of 
war Tripoli, of 14 gnns, and 85 men, 50 of whom 
were killed and wounded. 

By a resolution of Congress, the President of 
the United States was requested to present to the 
nearest male relative of lieutenant William Bur- 
rows, and to lieutenant R. M'Cail, of. the brig 
Enterprize, a gold medal ; and a silver medal 
to each of the commissioned officers of said ves- 
seL 

The president of the United States having con- 
sidered the Boxer as equal in force to the Enter- 
prize, has ordered her to be delivered up for the 
benefit of the captors. 

Commodore Rodgers arrived at Newport the 
26th September, in the frigate President, having 
sailed from Boston, on his third cruise, in com- 
pany with the Congress, the 30th of April pre- 
ceding. After parting company v/itli the Con- 
gress, on the 8th May, in Ion. 60, W. lat. 39, 
SO, N. he shaped his course to the southward of 
the Grand Bank, with the view to intercept the 
enemy's West-India trade; being disappointed in 
this quarter, he pursued a route to the northward, 
on a parallel with the eastern edge of the Grand 
Bank, so as to cross the tracks of the W^e&t-In- 
dia, Haliflix, Quebec, and St. John's trade. Not 
being successful, after reaching tlie latitude of 48 
N. he>ste3red towards the Azores, oft' which he 
continued until the 6tli June, v,^ithout meeting an 



HISTORY OF THE VVAI?. 143 

enemy's vessel. From hence lie crowded sail to 
the N. E. in search of an enemy's convoy, which 
he learned was seen sailing from the West-Indies 
to England. Although disappointed in falhng in 
with the convoy, he nevertheless made 4 captures, 
the 9th and 13th of June. This brought him so 
far to the north and east, that he resolved on g-o- 
ing into the North Sea. He put into North Ber- 
gen on the 27th June, to procure provisions and 
water, not having seen any enemy's vessels since 
the 13th. At Bergen he could procure only 
water, and departed from thence the 2d July, 
stretchinff over towards the Orknev-Islands : and 
from thence towards the North Cape, in search 
of a British convoy that was to sail from Arch- 
angel, of which he obtained information from two 
vessels, which he captured on the 13th and 18th 
July. In this object he was disappointed, by the 
appearance of two of the enemy's ships of war, (a 
line of battle ship, and a frigate,) off the Nortli 
Cape, on the 19th July. The President was 
chased by these two ships for eighty hours, but 
effected her escape. Tiie Commodore next pro- 
ceeded to a station where he might intercept the 
trade passing into and out of the Irish channel. 
In this position he made three captures, between 
the 25th July and 1st August; when, fearing the 
great superior force of tlie enemy in that quar- 
ter, he changed his ground ; raid, after taking a 
circuit round Ireland, and getting into the lati- 
tude of Cape Clear, he steered for the Banks of 
Newfoundland, near which he made tvvo captures. 
From the banks, he steered for the United States ; 
and, being short of provisions, was ccmpelled to 
make the first port, into wiiich he could safely 
enter. He brought in with him H. B. M. schoon- 
er High Elyer, a tender to admiral Warren, cap- 
tured on the 23d July. He took 271 prisoners; 



U4 HISTORY OF TMS WAR. 

216 of whom were sent home in cartels, and 55 
brouoht liomein the President. 

The movements on the Niasiara frontier bejjan 
at tins tmie to wear a serious aspect. 

The following address was circulated in the 
western district of the state of New-York. 

" TO THE PATRIOTS OF THE WES TERN 

DISTRICT. 

The period being at hand which is to decide the 
fate of the province of Upper Canada, and the com* 
mand of the Niagara frontier having devolved on me, 
I think proper to invite the old and young patriots 
of the western district to join my brigade in defence 
of their country and rights — any number not exceed- 
ing 1000, will be accepted and organized immediate- 
ly on their arrival at Levviston, and officered by the 
choice of their men. As the movements of an ar- 
my require secrecy, objects in view cannot be par- 
ticularly developed ; but those who feel disposed to 
distinguish themselves, and render services to their 
countr}', may be assured that something efficient and 
decisive will btJ done. The term of service will be 
two montlis, if not sooner discharged ; and every 
thing shall be done to render their situations as com- 
fortable as possible. I wish none to volunteer who 
may have any constitutional objections to cross the 
Niagara river ; 1400 of my brigade have already vo- 
lunteered to cross the river, and go wherever they 
may be required ; and 600 of them are now doing 
duty at Fort George. I flatter myself that no other 
consideration need be urged, than love of conntry, 
to excite the patriotism of the yeomanry of the wes- 
tern district. 

Given at head- quarters, Lewiston, October 2d, 
1813. 

GEORGE M'CLURE, Brig. Gen. 
Commanding Niagara Frontier. ' 

A considerable number of patriotic volunteers 
flocked on this occasion to the standa] d of gen- 
M'Clure. 



HISTORY OF THE VrAR. Its 

The following is an extract of the general's let- 
ter to governor Tomkins, of the state of New- 
York, dated Fort George, 6th October, 1813. 

" We have commenced offensive operations against 
the enemv. About 500 mihtia volunteers, and about 
150 Indians, commanded by colonel Chapin, attacked 
the piquet guard of the enemy about a mile and a 
half from Fort George, and drove them in upon tlie 
main body, when the enemy opened a fire from seve- 
ral fiekl pieces. Our men retired in good order into 
the fort, with the loss of one man killed, and t\vo or 
three wounded. The enemy's loss was 7 killed, ma- 
ny wounded, and 4 prisoners. 

" In a short time, the enemy appeared in consider- 
able force within 500 yards of the fort, at the edge 
of the woods ; Chapin again Scdiied out with abOut 
300 men, and some Indians, commenced a brisk fire 
en the whole of the enemy's line, and drove them half 
a mile — but, perceiving, by the movements of the 
enemy, that they would outflimk us, I ordered 200 
to reinforce him, and in two detachments to attack 
the enemy's flanks. We succeeded in drivino- the 
enemy into the woods, when, night coming on, put 
at) end to the conflict. Our loss was trifling ; I have 
not ascertained that of the enemy. Colonel Chanin 
is a brave nian. Every ofScer and soldier did his 
dut^ 



.y. 



Col. Chapin, in a private letter, to a friend ii\ 
Bufialoe, thus details the brush he had with the 
enemy. 

•' VvTille at dinner I received information of the Bri- 
tish army being in the town of Newark. I immediate- 
ly rallied a party of 100 men, and commenced a fire 

upon them, who returned it with much warmth we 

kept the ground till we were reinforced by Q^i Indians, 
and iOO militia. With this force, v/e compelled tlie 
t i-rny to retreat, and pursued them oae and a half 



HI HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ed a most tremendous fire of musketry upon us. Af- 
ter an hour and a half hard fi^^hting we drove them 
from the ravine, back to the batteries— it being novr 
nearly dark, we returned in good order. 

" From some deserters, and a prisoner we took, 
v;e learn that we had contended with tlie whole Bri- 
tish array, consisting of 1100 men, with the great 
Gen. Vincent at their head : and that we killed 32. 
Our loss was 4 killed and wounded." 

Major Chapin has recently been brevetted lieu- 
tenant-colonel, in the United States' army. 

General M'Clure, with the New- York militia, 
volunteers and Indians, succeeded in driving the 
British army from the vicinity of Fort Georp-e, 
and pursued them as far as Twelve-mile-creek. 
Colonel Scott, who commanded at Fort George, 
having informed General M'Ckire, that he was 
under orders to leave that place witli the ref^ulars, 
the general was compelled to abandon his design, 
nnd return to Fort George. 

It was general M'Ciure's wish, by the aid of 
the regular troops, to clear Upper Canada above 
Kingston, of the British armies, to establish 
a temporary government, secure the friend- 
thip, and, if necessary, the co-operation of the 
inhabitants, and compel the Indians to separate 
themselves from the enemy, or accompany them 
irj their retreat, lliat this could be eficcted, can 
jscarceiy be doubted, but it was necessarily aban- 
doned m favour of a design which originated with 
the general government, and which, had it suc- 
ceeded, would have been more importai^t. The 
regular troops wei:e principally drawn from the 
Niagara frontier, to co-operate with Gen. Wil- 
kinson in his intended attack on Montreal. 
Gen. Ilarrison's army was also ordered to Sackett's 
Harbour. Gen. M'Clure endeavoured to infhi- 
ence Gen. Harrison to aid him in attacking the 
enemy: but the instructions from the general gov- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. UY 

eminent were positive; and Commodore Chaim- 
cey had arrived with his fleet to remove the troops 
to Sackett's Flarbour. The force remaining with 
Gen. M'Chire, w^as barely sufficient to defend 
Fort George, and entirely inadequate to offensive 
operations ; and this force, which the general stat- 
ed to be " ungovernable," would soon be reduced 
by the expiration of their term of service. 

The militia returned to their homes, v»ath the 
exception of a few that were induced to remain 
beyond the term of their enlistment, ^^he gene- 
ral finding his force reduced to a number inade- 
quate to defend his post, and the enem}' advanced 
within a few utiles of him, he called a council of 
ofHcers, and put to them the question, " Is the 
ft;rt tenable with the present number of men?'* 
They were unanimous in the opinion, that it was 
not tenable. The arms, ammunition, and public 
stores, vrere immediately sent across the river, aixl 
as a measure deemed necessary to the safety of the 
troops, the town of Nev>'ark was burned. "Tiii.-^ 
act, (said Gen. M'Clure,) however distressing to 
the inhabitants, and my feelings, w-aB by order 
of the secretary of war, and I believe, at the same 
time, proper/' The inhabitants had twelve hours 
notice to remove their effects, and such as chose to 
cross the river, were provided with all the neces- ^ 
saries of life. 

Capt. Leonard was left in command at Fort 
Niagara, with 150 regulars ; Colonel Grieves, with 
20 men, and two pieces of artillery, was at Lew- 
iston ; Major Mallory, with 40 Canadian militia, 
were stationed at Schiosser; and tlie general went 
to Buffdoe, to provide for the safety of that place, 
and Black Rock. 

From Buffaloe, General M'Ckre issued an 
address to the inhabitants of the counties of Nia- 
gara, Genessee, and Chatague, apprising them of 
the menaced inyasion of that frontter. and calling 



148 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

',on tliem to repair to Lewiston, Sclilosser, and 
iiuffiiioe, for the purpose of defei]cliii»' their coun- 
try and home against a barbarous enemy. This 
was too lateto]:>roduce tlie desired effect. 

On the morning of the 19th December, about 
4 o'clock, the enemy, consisting of regulars, mi- 
litia, and Indians, to the number, by the most 
probable account, of 1500 men, crossed the Nia- 
gara river at five-mile meadow, and advanced 
against Fort Niagara, which they completely sur- 
prised, entering it wliiie the men were nearly all 
asleep, and killing, without mercy or discrimina- 
tion, those who came in their v/ay. It will be 
recollected, that an attack on this place was ex- 
pected, and that Captain Leonard, who command- 
ed^ had directions accordingly; yet General 
M'Clure observes, in his oflicial despatch, " I am 
induced to think that the disaster is not attributa- 
ble to any want of troops, but to gross neglect in 
the commanding oflicer of the fort. Captain Leo- 
nard, in not preparing, being ready, and looking 
out for the expected attack." It aj^pears by ano- 
ther letter from General M'Clure, '• that Captain 
Leonard was not in the fort at the time of the 
attack, having left it at a laic hour the preceding 
evening." 

On tile same morning on which Niagara was 
taken, a detachment of militia stationed at Lewis - 
ton, under command of Major Bennet, was. at- 
tacked by a strong party of the enemy, but the 
jnajor and his few men cut their way with great 
bravery through several hundreds of savages and 
others, by Vvhc-m tliey were surrounded. The 
villages of Youngstown, Lewiston, Manchester, 
the Indian Tuscarora village, and all the interven- 
in^j- houses, were burned, and nmnv of the inha- 
bitants iiihum.anly butchered, witxiout respect to 
age or sex, by savages, headed by British officers 
painted, Myjor Mallory, who was stationed at 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. UQ 

Schlosser, v/ith about 4^0 Canadian militia, boldlf 
advanced to Lewiston heights, and compelled the 
enemy to fail back to the foot of the mountain : 
for two days the major continued to resist the ad- 
vance of the enemy, disputing every inch of ground 
to the Tautawanty creek. 

Major general HaV, on learning the dangerous 
and exposed state of the frontier, hastened to Ba- 
tavia ; and, on the morning of the 23d December, 
at the request of General Si'CIure, took the chief 
command of the men then assembling to repel the 
enemy. There was a great deficiency of ammuni- 
tion and arms. With what could be procured, 
the general commenced his marcli towards Lewis- 
ton on the 25th, having under his command 150 
infantry, under Lieut. Col. Lawrence, supported 
by one company of cavalry, under Captain Mar- 
vin, and in the expectation to join a corps of mi- 
litia, said to be 200 strong, under. Lieut. Col. Ache- 
son, which was stationecl 15 miles cast iToin Lewis- 
ton, with instructions, if possible, to join the 
main force at BulKiioe. On the morning of the 
26tb, General Hall ai-rived at iJiifialoe, where he 
found a considerable body of irregular troops 
of various descriptions. General M'Clure was 
left in command at Eatavia. On the 27th, the 
troops at Buffaloe and Bktlv Rock, were reviewed, 
and found to consist, in the aggregate, including 
Indians, of 1711 men, v/hich were increased, on 
the morning of the 29th, by about SOO men, giv- 
ing an entire force of 2011 men; but this force 
was soon reduced, by desertion, to 1200; and 
even these so deficient in ammjunition, that a part 
of the cartridges were made and distributed after 
the men were paraded for. battle, on the morning 
of the ?>Oth. 

> In the evening of the 29th3 at 12 o'clock, the 
horse patrole had been fired on, a short distance 
below Conjoktie's creek, and one mile below 

N 2 



150 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

Black Rock. The troops were iinmediately paraded, 
and stood by their arms. An attempt was made 
to dislodge the enemy from the sailors' battery 
near Conjoktie's, of which he had obtained pos- 
session. The attempt failed^ through the dark- 
ness of the night, and confusion into which the 
militia were thrown by the enemy's fire. A second 
body ofmiHtia, sent on the b'ame service, was 
equally unsuccessful; the men, after a short 
skirmi1^1i, fled in disorder. A third detachment 
was ordered on the sam.e service, but was recalled 
to oppose a body of men wliich was discovered, 
as the day dawned, crossing the river. As soon 
as the force of the enemy was ascertained to be 
large, and commanded by lieutenant colonel 
Drumniond, and their position reconnoitred, 
the best possible disposition was made to oppose 
them, with a force inferior in number, as it v/as 
in experience and ammunitions of war. General 
Hall thus briefly details the eflcct : 

" The attack was commenced bv a fire from our 
six pounder under lieutenant Seel}^, below general 
Porter's house, and one twenty-four and two twelve 
pounders at the battery, under command of lieuten- 
ant Farnum, of the 21st U. S infantry, acting as a 
volunteer. At the same time tiie enen)}^ opened a heavy 
f.re from thtir batteries on the opposite side of die river, 
of shells,spherical and hot shot, and ball. The regiment 
under command cf colonel Blakeslie, about400 strong, 
were regularly in line, together with detached bodies 
frcm ether coips, amounting, according to the best 
estimate I can make, in all about 600 nven. — These 
few but brave men, commenced the attack with mus- 
ketry upon the enem}^ in tiieir boats, and poured 
upon them a most destructive fire. Every inch of 
ground was disputed with the steadj^ coolness of veter- 
aiis, a:nd at the expense of many valuable lives. 
Their bravery, at the same time that it casts a lustre 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 151 

over their names, reflects equal disgrace on those 
who fled at the first appearance of danger — and whom 
neither intreaties nor threats could turn back to the 
support of their comrades. 

" Perceiving that the Indians, on whom I had re- 
lied for attacking the enemy^s flank, were offering us 
no assistance, and that our right wa? endangered by 
the enemy's left, 1 gave directions for the reserve, un- 
der command of colonel M'Mahon, to attack the 
enemy in flank on our right. But terror had dissi- 
pated this corps, and but few of them could be ral- 
lied by their officers and brought to the attack. Of 
this corps there are some who merit well of their 
country — but more who covered themselves with dis- 
grace. The defection of the Indians and of my re- 
serve, and the loss of the service of the cavalry and 
mounted men, by reason of the nature of the ground 
on which they must act, left the forces engaged ex- 
posed to the enemy's fire in front and flank. After 
standing tjicir ground for about one half hour, op- 
posed to v.eterans and highly disgiplined troops, over- 
whelmed by numbers, and nearly surrounded, a re- 
treat became necessary to their safety, which was 
accordingly made. I then made every effort to rally 
the troops, with a view to renew the attack on the 
enemy's columi^is, . on their approach to the village of 
Batt'aloe. But every effort proved ineffectual ;■ and 
experience proves, that with militia a retreat be- 
comes a flight, and a battle once ended, the army is 
dissipated. Deserted by my principal force, I fell 
back that nigiit to the Eleven-mile creek, and was 
forced to leave the flourishing villages of Black 
Rock and Bufiaioe, a prey to the enemy, which they 
have pillaged and laid in ashes.' 

General Hall retired to Elevcn-mile-creek, 
where he collected about SCO men; and, with 
these, endeavored to cover the fleeing inhabitants, 
and Riake a sliovr, to prevent the advance of the 

enemy. 

ii^i^iit pieces of artillery fell into the hands of 



152 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

the enemy. About thirty men were killed, and 
somewhat more than that nmiiber wounded, in 
the defence of Black Rock. But the worst re- 
m ins to be told, or rather some faint idea to be 
given of the indescribable barbarity of the ene- 
my. 

Black Rock and BufFaloe were destroyed, to- 
gether with every building for two miles east of 
BuiFaloe on the Batavia road, and almost every 
building between Buffaloe and Niagara along the 
river. '• The enemy," says general Hall, " had 
with him at Black Rock and^Buffaloe, a number 
of Indians, (the general opinion in that country 
is about 200,) who pursued their accustomed 
mode of horrid warfare, by tomahawking, scalp- 
in.^, and otherwise mutilating the persons who 
fell into their hands. Among the victims of their 
savage barbarity v»'as a Mrs Lovejoy, of BulTaloe, 
who was tomahawked, and afterwards burned in 
her own house. The conduct of these savages 
has struck the minds of the people on the Nia- 
gara frontier with such horror, as to make it ab- 
solutely necessary jhat a more efficient force than 
the ordinary militia of the country should be em- 
ployed for its protection, t4j prevent its becoming 
entirely depopulated." 

All the settlements of a populous country, for- 
ty miles square, were completely broken up, and 
12,000 persons sent as if into beggary. The to- 
mahav/k and bayonet deprived parents of their 
children, and children of their parents; the sa- 
vages white and red, who acted not merely as 
conquerors, but as murderers and I'obbers, by a 
fell swoop pounced upon their prey with all the fe- 
rocity of the tiger, and the all- desolating ruin 
of the locust. On the 4ih January the robbers 
retired into their own woods, not daring to wait 
the cliastisement that was prepared for tliem^ 

Considerable contributions of money were col- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 15S 

lected for the relief of tne surviving sulFcrers, vvlio 
graduall}' returned to view the smoking ruins 
of 'their late habitations. 

The enemy having declared their conduct on 
the Niagara irontier, to have been committed in 
retaliation for excesses said to have been com- 
mitted by the American armies in Canada, the 
censure, or rather indignation of the suffering 
inhabitants were turned against general M'Clm'e, 
v/ho had the command. The general, previous 
to retiring from command, published an address 
to the public, in justification of his own conduct, 
in which he seems to have been prettj^ success- 
ful. M'Clure was certainly a good and zealous 
soldier; ever ready to obey his superiors, he ex- 
acted obedience from those who were placed un- 
der his command : he knew that strict discipline 
was essential to form the practical soldier; and 
he probably suffered in the esteem of some be- 
cause he pursued a system from which he could 
not depart without a crime, that might stamp 
him with indelible disgrace. 

The importance of Fort Niagara, as a military 
position, is sufficiently evident, and the possibiU- 
ty of preserving it lias been unfortunately prov- 
en by an enemy, who probably would not medi- 
tate its reduction, v/ere lie not in some manner 
apprized that the garrison, sufficiently strong, was 
not sufiicicntiy watchful. Had this post been 
preserved, as it might have been, the ruthless 
massacre of its garrison, after resistance had 
ceased, would not have happened; nor would 
a savage enemy have dared to attem})t his horrid 
incursion, without the previous possession of the 
key to the settlements along the Niagara fron- 
tier. 

These observations are not merel)^ speculative. 
The enemy had undoubtedly an early eye on the 
post at Niagara : it may perhaps be cause of sur- 



154 IlISTOKY OF THE WAR. 

prize to some, that it was not seized wliile in a 
state of ill defence, and that its occupation by the 
enemy v/as deferred to a time when it was amp- 
ly supplied v/ith men, arms, and ammunition. 
This can be best explained by a re-assertion, that 
the enemy very prudently waited until he could 
find the garrison not w^atchful, sleeping. To the 
undaunted ])rowess of one of the m.ost intrepid, 
zealous, and active oificers of the army, it is to be 
attributed, that the enemy had not an earlier 
possession of Niagara fort. Captain M'Keon, 
of the artillery, in his bold and successful de- 
fence of this post, has signalized himself in a 
manner that had few parallels during the war, and 
may probably be ranked w^ith, because it bore 
strong similitude to, the brave exploit of the hero 
of lower Sandusky. This act of captain M'Keon 
will be best explained by the following letter to 
the secretary of war, which is now published for 
the first time. 

New- York, 6th Ju72e,lSlS. 
Sir, 
"When the army was j^et in its infancy, and but very 
few troops to garrison th* old fort of Niagara, I had 
the honour to command at that station a company of 
the Sd regiment of the U. S. artillery ; at this time 
the enemy prepared to bombard us, and raised several 
strong batteries for the purpose. We sustained his 
fire for seven hours, and had our works so much shat- 
tered, that our commandant, captain Leonard, thought 
them no longer ti^nable ; he had the guns spiked, and 
evacuated the fort According to orders, 1 retreated 
with the garrison ; hut at a very short distance from 
the place, 1 solicited and obtained captain Leonard's 
permission to return to it ; at the moment, it was the 
depot of an immense quantity of public stores, 
worth perhaps a million of dollars, and still more va- 
luable in a military point of view. These I wished 
at every risk to preserve. Though I possessed en- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 135 

tire command of all my men, I took back with me 
but 25 ; because, from the circumstance of the guns 
being spiked, I could not employ more ; and this 
number was enough for the execution of my plan, 
if it sJiould succeed, and enough to lose if it should 
fail. I placed sentinels on the ramparts, and at the 
barriers, and caused them to give the usual call eve- 
ry six minutes through the night, so as to impressk 
the enemy with a belief that the fortress vvas gar- 
risoned, and the garrison vigilant. At the same 
time four men belonging to the laboratory had port 
fires lighted and fuzees prepared to blow up the ma- 
gazine and all, if tlie enemy could not be intimidated 
from advancing upon us. Fortunately, he was inti- 
midated ; the fort was saved ; and the next morning 
at 8 o'clock the garrison returned with a reinforce- 
ment. On the 16th of Octobe;r, a second order was 
issued by general Alexander Smyth, for the evacu- 
ation of this fort, and the public {property was accor- 
dingly removed from it to Levviston ; but immediate- 
ly I represented to col. Winder, that the fort was not 
only tenable, but that I would maintain it. He was 
pleased to sanction this opinion ; and thus I was in 
some measure the cause of preserving it a second 
time. On the 21st of November following, the ene- 
my bombarded our fort with the greatest fury for 13 
hours ; daring whicli time it was my good fortune to 
have been most assailed by his attack, and most op- 
posite to his position. The conflagration of Fort 
George and Nev/ark, v/ill, I trust, bear testimony to 
the successes of my eiforts on that day. 

(Signed) JAS. M'KEON, ^ 

late capt. artillery. 

The brave defence of Fort Niagara led to the 
following garrison order. 

GARRISON ORDER. 

Fort Nicigctra^ October 15, 1812. 
It is with the greatest satisfaction the commanding 
officer gives to captain M'Keon his full approbation 
for his spirited and judicious conduct during the se- 
vere cannonading from Fort George, and the batter- 



156 HISTORY OF TilE WAR. 

ies on the opposite side of the river, against this 
post, for more than seven hours, on the 13th October 
inst. 

To Dr. West he begs to express his sincere thanks 
for the aid and assistance redeived from him. To 
the non-coramissioned officers and privates of the gar- 
rison he has only to say tliat they have his full appro- 
bation for their cool and determined courage, and 
their zeai and activity during the day. 

N. LEONARD, 
capt. commanding Fort Niagara. 

While things were thus progressing on land, 
the British were preparing a naval force for the 
annoyance of the citizens on the sea-board. 

Admiral Warren arrived at Halifax on the 27th 
September, 1812; and having attempted in vain 
to deceive tiie American government with falSe 
professions of a pacific intention, he proceeded, in 
Januarj', off New York. 

Early in February, 1813, the Chesapeake bay 
and Delaware river were blockaded. 

The British fleet continued in the bay and rivers 
connected therewith. Their transactions, for the 
most part, form a history of petty landings, where- 
ver no considerable force could be opposed to 
them, burning or taking every vessel that came 
within tlieir power, plundering the inhabitants ad- 
jacent to the waters, burning houses, and insulting 
in the most libidinous manner, those females who 
did not or could not fly from them. The follow- 
ing deserve particular record : 

A letter, of which the following is a copy, was 
sent to Lev/iston, in the state of Delaware, on 
the 16th March, 1813. 

Sir, 

As soon as vou receive tlirs, I mast request vou 
will send twc^ity live bullocks, with a propcrtiosable 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 157 

quantity of vegetables and hay, to the Poictiers, for 
the use of his britdonic majesty's squndron now at 
this anchorage, which shall ba immediately paid for 
at the Philadelphia prices. If you refuse to compl}^ 
with this request, I shall be under the necessity of 
destroying your town. 

I have Old honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

J. P. BERESFORD, Commodore, 

commanding the British squadron 
in the mouth of the Delaware, 

The Jirst magidrate of Leii^istoinn, 

The magistrate transmitted the letter to Go- 
vernor Haslet, who sent a reply to the admiral oa 
the ^3d- concluding; in the Folio wino-. words : " I 
have only to observe to you, that a compliance 
would be an immediate violation of the laws of 
my country, and an eternal stigma on the nation 
of which I am a citizen. A compliance, therefore, 
cannot be acceded to." 

On the evening of the 6th April, the Belvidera 
and two small vessels came close into Lewis, and 
commenced an attack by firing several 32lb. shot 
into the town, which have been picked up ; alter 
which a Hoo; was sent, to v/hich the follov/ina: re*- 
ply was returned : 
Sir, 

In reply to the renewal of your demand, with the 
addition for a suppl}'^ of water, I have to inform you 
that neither can be complied with. This, too, you 
TOust be sensible of; tlierefore I must insist the at- 
tack on the inhafeitaats of this town is both wanton 
and cruel. I have the honour to be your most obe- 
dient servant, 

S. B. DAVIS, Col. Commandant. 

Another message was sent, in which the Britisli 
captain, B3'ron, among other matter, wrote, " I 
grieve for the distress of the women — " to which 
a verbal reply was given, that " col. Davis is a' 

6 



1.53 HISIORY OF THE WAR 

gallant man, and has ab'eady taken care of the la- 
dies." 

The attack contmued till near 10 o'clock, — 
Tiie fning v.as kept up during the greater part 
of the followinii: dav. One of the most danoerous 
of their gun boats was silenced by the fire from 
a small battery. The enemy withdrew. on the 8tii, 
after firinir on Lewis for 2'2 hours, witii little ei- 
feet, and without accomplishing his object. 

In their progress up the bay, the British landed 
at Frenchtown on the Elk river, and bui'ncd the 
store houses, det^troying or carrying away all the 
public and private property wliich they con- 
tained. 

From Frenclitown the enemy proceeded to Fla- 
vre de Grace, a flouiishing little village on the 
Susquehannah, v/here they landed in considerable 
force on the 3d of May, and proceeded to plunder 
and bum with a savagcness tliat required but the 
ijse of the scalping-knifc, to outrival their red al- 
lies. Twenty four of the best l)ouses in the town 
were burned, and the others plundered. A small 
party of militia were, stationed at Havre de Grace, 
wlio'^on the approach of the enemy, made a slight 
resistance, and ihen retreated. An Irislnnan, 
named O'Neil, with a courage amounting to rash- 
ness, and an enthusiasm i\ot confined by cold loy- 
alty, opposed his single arm to the British host, 
was taken prisoner and carried on board the Bri- 
tish fleet, but afterwards released on parole. 

His countrymen residing in Philadelphia, pre- 
sented the brave O'Neil with a sword. 

From Havre de Grace the enemy proceeded 
furtlier up the river, and burned the warehouse 
belonging to Mr. Stump, and a furnace belong- 
ing to Mr. Kugiics, at Princippi. 
;. pu the morning of the 4th, the enemy evacu- 
ated llavre de Grace, and proceeded down the 
bay. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 159 

The next exploit of the enemy was the burninpr 
of the unprotected viUages of Frederick and 
Georgetown ; the former in Cecil county, the lat- 
ter in Kent couiity, opposite each oiher on the 
Sassafras river, in the state of Maryland. 

The movements of the enemy on the 20th 
Jnne, having indicated a design to attack Norfolk, 
which place was then ill prepared for defence, 
Ca})tain Tarbell, fmding Craney island rather 
weakly manned, directed lieutenants Neale, Shu- 
brick, and Sanders, with ] 00 seamen, to a small 
battery at the N. Vv'. point of the island. At 5 
o'clock on the nijj^^-ning of tlie Si'd, the enemy 
was discovered landing round the point of Nan- 
semond river, a force, reported by deserters an<.' 
other's to exceed 3000 men. At 8, A. M. the 
bari^es attempted to land, in front of the island, an 
additional force of 1500, when lieutenants Neah^, 
Shubrick, and Saunders, with the sailors andtr 
their conmiand, and the marines of the Constel- 
lation frigate, ISO in nuiriber, opened a tire, 
wliich w£is so well directed, that the enemy was 
obliged to retreat to his ships. Three of his lar- 

fest barges were sunk ; one of them, called the 
Centipede, Admiral Warren's boat, 50 feet in 
length, carried 75 men, the greater part of whom, 
were lost. Several of the boats fell back in the 
rear of the island, and commenced tlirowin^j; roc- 
kets from Mr. Wise's houses; but they were 
quickly compelled to move oiF, by the shot directed 
to that (juarter from gun-boat No. 67. In the 
evening, the enemy's boats came round the point 
of Nansemond, and at sun-set were seen returning 
to their ships, full of men. At dusk they strewed 
the sliore along with fires, in order to run away 
by the light. 

The Bntish troops tliat v/e^e previously landed, 
made their appearance on the main land, with a 
view to. att?*ck the west aiid north posiuons of the 



.1.60 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

island, but with no better success than attended 
the nien m the boats. Two 24? pounders and 
.'four 6 pounders were advantageously posted, under 
the direction of major Faulkener of the artillery, 
^vY^iich were so well served by capt. Euierson, lieu- 
tenants Hawl.and Godwin, that they produced a 
serious effect on the enemy, who was soon com- 
pelled to retreat. 

Opposed to the large British force, there were 
but a !Lew hundred militia and artillerists; there w^ere 
mounted on the island not more than eight pieces 
of cannon that could be brouoht to bear on the 
enemy. " I'he officers of the Constellation" ac- 
cording to the official report of commodore Cas- 
sin, "fired their J 8 pounder more like riflemen 
than artillerists." This defence did great honour 
to the few Americans who w^re enoaored. Nor- 
iblk was an important post, and the enemy deter- 
mined on its occupation ; the force sent against it 
was large ; admiral Cockburn conmanded in per- 
son, and was in one of the barges, encouraging 
the men to advance. Some French deserters re- 
ported, that a large bounty was to be given to the 
men in the event of success, and that it w^as pro- 
nn'sed to them that Norfolk would be given up to 
be plundered ! 

The loss of the enemy could not be less than 
200, exclusive of several deserters; 22 prisoners 
v.ere taken ; also a brass 4 pounder, with a num- 
ber of small arm.-', pistols, cutlosoes, &c. 

Not a man was lost on the side of the Ameri- 
cans; the enemy used only Congreve rockets. 

On the 25th June, between 30 and 40 barges 
werj discovered, filled v.ith men, approaching 
the mouth of Hampton creek, from the direc- 
tion of Newport's noose. Tlie American troops 
were quickly farmed on Little England plantation, 
south west, and divided from Hampton by a 
narrow creek, over w^hicli a slight foot bridge had 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 161 

been erected. In a short time the enemy com- 
menced landing troops in rear of the Americans. 
A little after five o'clock, A. ^i. several barges 
approached Black-beard's point, the headmost of 
which commenced a firing of round shot, whicli 
was returned from a small battery of four long 
12 pounders. The entire of the force landed by 
the enemy consisted of at least 2500 men, support- 
ed by several heavy field-pieces, and some heavy 
guns, and rockets ; the American troops were 
composed of 34-9 infantry and rifle, 62 artillerists,, 
and 25 cavalry. This little force made the most 
judicious and best defence that was practicable, 
manoeuvring and disputing every inch of ground. 
The contest was at one time very sharp, and main- 
tained with a resolution that left hope of repelling 
the invaders; but the enemy, being very numer- 
cms, attempted to outflank and cut oiF the Ameri* 
cans, v^hen part of the latter began to disperse in 
various directions. It now became indispensa- 
bly necessary for all the Americans to retire, which 
they did, under a continued, bat ill directed fire 
from the enemv, who uursued t{i.em for two miles. 
The Americans occasiouallv stohpod at a fence or 
ditch, and at every tire brought down one of the 
pursuing foe„ 

Captain Pryor, vvith his lieutenants Lively and 
Jones, and his brave, active matro^^ses, after slaugh- 
tering many of the enemy v/ith his field -piece?, 
remained on the ground till surrounded ; and 
when the enemy was within 60 or 70 yards of the 
fort, they spiked their guns, broke through the 
enemy's rear, and by swimming a creek, made good 
their retreat v/ithout losing a man, tciking v/ith 
them their carbines, and hiding them in the 
v/oods. 

The American loss was 7 killed, 16 wounded, 
(of whom 2 died of their wounds,) 1 priwner, 
and 1 1 missing. The enemy took possession of tlxa 

O 2 



m HISTORY OF THE WAR 

village of Hampton, after suffering a loss, by 
the most probable calculation, of at least 200 
men. 

Major Crutchfield, who commanded the Ame- 
ricans, states the enemy's conduct, in the follow- 
ing extract from his official report : 

*' To give you, sir, an idea of the savage-like dis- 
poi-ltion of the enemy, on their getting possession of 
the neighbourhood, would be a vain attempt. AI- 
tliough sir Sidney Beckwith assured me, that no un- 
easiness need be felt in relation to the unfortunate 
Americans ; the fact is, that yesterday there were se- 
veral dead bodies lying unburied, and the wounded 
not even assisted into town, although observed to be 
crawlin.'- tlirough the fields towards a cold and inhos- 

o p 

pitable protection. 

." The unfortunate females of Hampton, who could 
not leave the town, were abused in the most shame- 
ful manner ; not only by the soldiers, but by the ve- 
nal sav?ge blacks, who were encouraged in their ex- 
cesses. I'h.ey pillaged, and encouraged every act 
of rapine and murder, killing a poor man of the name 
of Kerby, who had been lying on his bed, at the 
point of death, for more than six weeks, shooting 
his wife in the hip at the same time, and killing 
his faithful dog, lying under his feet. The mur- 
dered Kerby was lying h.st night weltering in his 
bed." 

A committee of congress, in a report to the 
house, thus notice this transaction. 

" The shrieks of tlie innocent victims of infernal 
lust at Hampton, were heard by the American pri- 
soners, but were too weak to reach the ears, or dis^ 
turb the repose of the British officers, whose duty, 
as men, required them to protect every female whom 
the fortune of v»ar had thrown into their power. 
The committee will not dwell on this hateful sub- 
ject. Human language affords no terras strong 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 16^. 

enough to express the emotions which the exami- 
nation of this evidence has awakened ; they rejoice 
that these acts have appeared so incredible to the 
American people. And, for the honor of human na- 
ture, they deeply regret that the evidences so clearly 
establish their truth. In the correspondence be- 
tween the commander of the American and British 
forces, will be found what is equivalent to an admis- 
sion of the facts, by the British commander." 

The enemy soon evacuated Hampton, and re- 
treated to his shipping, to avoid the punishment, 
which, had he remained, would have soon 
been inflicted. The following extract of a let- 
ter from captain Cooper to the lieutenant gov- 
ernor of Virginia, is proof of shocking bar- 
barity which would disgrace the savage of the 
wildesness. 

*' I was yesterday in Hampton with my troop- 



that place haviiig been evacuated in the morning by 
the British. My blood ran cold at what I saw and 
heard. The few distressed inhabitants running up 
in every direction to congratulate us; tears vvere 
shedding in every corner — the infamous scoundrels, 
monsters, destroyed every thii)g but the houses, and, 
(my pen is almost unwilling to describe it) the wo- 
men vvere ravished by the abandoned ruffians. — Great 
God ! my dear friend can you figure to yourself, our 
Hampton females seized and treated with violence 
by those monsters, and not a solitary American 
arm present to avenge their wrongs ! But enough — 
I can no more of this. ■ The enemy have received. a 
reinforcement of 200O, in all 6000 men ; and Nor- 
folk or Richmond is their immediate aim. Protect 
yourselves from such scenes as we have witness* 
ed. They retired in great confusion, leaving 3000 
weight of beef, some muskets, ammunition, can- 
teens, &c., and some of their men, which we took. 
It is supposed that they apprehended an immediate 
attacj^ from 6000 of our men, which caused them to 



164 HISTORY OF TilE WAR. 

retreat so precipitately. My friend, rest assured 
of one thing-— that they eannot conquer Americans — 
they cannot stand them. If we had had 1200 men, 
we should have killed or taken the greater part of 
them." 

In further proof of these enormities, the fol- 
lowing extract is given, from the letter of a gen- 
tleman of great respectability. 

*' At present you must content yourself with the 
following, and believe it as religiously as an}' fact be- 
yond denial. Mrs. Turnbull was pursued up to her 
waist in the water, and dragged on shore b^' ten or 
twelve of these ruffians, who satiated tlieir brutal 
desires upon her, after pulling off her clothes, stock- 
ings, shoes, &c. This fact was seen by your nephew, 
Keith, and many others. Another case — a married 
woman, her name unknown to me, with her infant 
child in her arms, (the child forcibly dragged from 
her,) shared the same fate Two young women, 
well known to many, whose names will not be reveal- 
ed at this time, suffered in like manner. — Dr. Colton, 
Parson Halson, and Mrs. Hopkins, have informed me 
of these particulars — another, in the presence of Mr. 
Hope, had her gown cut off v»ith a sword, and vio- 
lence offered in his presence, which he endeavoured 
to prevent, but had to quit the room, leaving the un- 
fortunate virtim in their possession, who, no doubt, 
was abused in the same way. 

*' Old Mr. Hope himself, v/as stripped naked, prick- 
ed with a bayonet in the arm, and slapt in the face — 
and were I to mention a hundred cases in addition 
to the above, I do not know that I should exagge- 
rate." 

Admiral Ccckburn is the redoubtable hero who 
commanded the enemy la the manly attack on 
. Hampton, 

On the 26th June,' three of the enemy's bar- 
ges attempted to enter Pagan creek, but were 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 165 

resistcil by a detachment of militia ; and after ex- 
changing 14 shots, without effect on either side, 
the enemy retired. 

The enemy had such a total command of tlie 
waters of the Ciiesaneake, and the rivers faiUno; 
into it, v/herever the same were v/ithout the 
range of shot from the shore; and his move- 
ments v/ere so various, that a general alarm was 
excited in the neighbourhood of these waters ; 
the troops were necessarily kept embodied, and 
moving in a manner, which occasioned distress- 
in o- and harassini*; difllciiities. ^The fate of tiie 
females at Hampton excited an indignation, and 
roused a patriotism and a love of family kindred, 
which stifled all complaints ^mong the harassed 
soldiery of Virginia and Maryland. — " Hampton" 
was a watchword, at v/hich every husbanci, fa- 
ther, brother, and man, took his gun and fled 
with willingness, to meet the ruffians, who threat- 
ened, with worse than murder, the fair daugh- 
ters of America. 

It would scarcely be interesting to detail eve- 
ry petty landing, skirmish, and adventure, that 
occurred, while the enemy remained in the 
Chesapeake — the m.ost conspicuous of them will, 
however, be noticed. 

A party of the enemy landed a little below 
James -Town, on the 2d July, but were repuls- 
ed by the militia. Two of the enemy were kill- 
ed, two taken, and several wounded. The mi- 
litia suffered no loss. 

On the lith July, the U. S. schooner Asp, 
was attacked in Yocimo river, by the crews of 
2 brigs, who put off in their boats, for that pur- 
pose. The boats, 3 in number, were beaten ofF 
by the well directed fire from the Asp ; about an 
hour after, the boats returned, with two other 
boats, well manned. There were but 21 men on 



165 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

board the Asp, and they could not eiTectunlly re- 
sist the great force sent against them ; they, 
however, defended themselves obstinately and 
bravely: nor did they refreat until after the 
Asp wari bearded by more than fifty of the en- 
emy. The tuenvy set the vessel on fire. After 
their retreat, the survivors of the brave Ameri- 
can crew went on beard and txtingnished tlie 
flames. The American loss in killed and wonnd- 
ed, amounted to 10 men. Mr. 8i.(>-ournev, the 
intre]-;id commander of the ^ Asp, was among the 
killed. 

Some essays, pubh'sliv'^d by the late Robert 
Fullon, on the practicability of destroying ships 
by torpedoes, induced several persons to turn 
their thoughts to this subject. A Mr. Mix, of 
the navy, accompanied by ca])tain liovv'man, of 
Salem, and midshipman M'Gowan, essayed to 
destroy the ship of war Plantagenet, of 74 guns, 
lying in Lynnhaven bay. For this purpose, they 
proceeded in a boat, in the night of the 24th 
July, 1813, and having reached within 100 yards 
of the ship, dropped the torpedo. It was swept 
along by the tide, but exploded a few seconds 
before it would have come in contact with the ves- 
sel. It produced great consternation and confu- 
sion on board the vessel, and induced several of 
the crew to take to their boats. The ship was 
greatly agitated, and some damage done by the 
\dolent motion of the v/ater. The noise, occa- 
sioned by the explosion, was loud and tremen- 
dous; and the appearance of the water, thrown 
up in a column of thirty or forty feet high, aw- 
fully sublime. It has not been ascertained that 
any lives were lost. 

The fleet, under command of Admiral Cock- 
burn, returned to the Chesapeake on the 16th 
July, after an invasion of North Carohna, where 
the country was pillaged and laid v/aste by tl\e 



HISTORY OF THE AVAR. , IGJ 

enemy, for several miles. On the ISch, n part 
of this fleet, consisting of two 74''s, 3 frigates, 
and 3 schooners, appeared off Ocracock bar, in 
North Carolina, and immediately despatched, in 
boats, between 700 and 800 men, v/ho attacked 
the privateer Anaconda^ and schooner Atlas, ly- 
ino" inside the bar. There were but 18 men on 
board the Anaconda, who resisted the boats as 
lono- as they could, until finding- that the vessel 
must be taken, they discharged the guns into the 
hull ; but the enemy boarded her in time to plug 
the holes. The Atlas, and some small crai't, were 
captured. The enemy took possession of Ocra- 
cock, and of the town of Portsmouth, without 
opposition. 

Mrs. Gaston, of Nev.'bern, wife of the mem- 
l)er of congress, beino- told that the British had 
landed, and v/ould shortly be in possession of 
Nev/bern, fell into convulsive fits, and expired in 
a few hours. Mrs. Curtis died in a similar man- 
ner, and a Mrs. Shepherd was at the point of 
death, but has recovered. Apprehensions of 
being treated like the unfortunate females of 
Hampton, it is supposed, produced this extraor- 
dinary degree of terror. A large body of mili- 
tia and volunteers were assembled In the vicin- 
ity of Portsmouth, and on the point of attack- 
ing the enemy, when he ihouglit prudent to re- 
tire. 

Lieutenant Aniens, commandinor the Delaware 
iiotilla, having discovered, on the 27th' July, that 
the enemy had chased and taken a small vessel, 
near the Overfalls, got under wa}'', and stood for 
the enemy. At the distance of about three quar- 
ters of a mile, he brought the enemy's slocp of 
war to action, having anchored for that* purpose 
8 run-boats, and 2 block-shins, in a line ahead. 
A heavy British frigate had, by this time, an- 
chored about half a mile further out. — /ifter a 



163 , HISrORYOF THEWAR. 

cannonade oF one hour and 45 minutes, in which 
the enemy received several shot, without any ma- 
terial damage done to the flotilla, he manned hi* 
boats, 10 in number, (2 launches, the rest large, 
barges and cutters,) with between 30 and 40 men 
in each, and despatched them after gun-boat No. 
121, sailinor-master ;shead, which had falien a 
mile and a half out of the line, and succeeded in 
capturing her, after a gallant resistance. The 
enemy would have been totall}^ defeated, had he 
not been favoured by a calm, which enabled him 
to carry off the gun -boat No. 121, the colours 'of 
which were not struck until after being boarded. 
The sound of cannon on this occasion, vras heard 
at the city of Washington, a distance of 120 miles. 
Sailing-master Shead concludes his official re- 
port in the following words: 

*' [ found it necesstiry, for the preservation of those 
few valuable lives left, to surrender to seven times 
our number ; the enemy boarding, loaded our decks 
with men ; we were all driven below, and it was with 
the utmost difficulty that the officers could stay tlie 
revenge of the seamen, who seemed to thirst for blood 
and pkuider, the last of which they had, by robbing 
us of every thing; we had none killed, but 7 wound- 
ed,'5 slightly. The enemy's loss by us, was 7 killed, 
and 12 wounded, 4 of which have since died. They 
have conquered me, but they have paid dearly for it ; 
and I trust, sir, when you come to view the disadvan- 
tages that I laboured under, having been but 7 days 
on board my boat, and scarcely time to station my 
men, and the misfortune of entirely disabling my 
gun, and the superiority of numbers to oppose me, 
you will be convinced, that the liag I had the honour 
to v/ear, has not lost any of that mitional character 
which has ever been attached to it.' 

It is paiRfid to the historian, that while he re- 
cords the many instances of virtuous patriotism, 
and glorious prowess, which signalized the citizens 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 161 

?ind inhabitants of the United States, it becomes 
also his duty to record their crimes and treasons. 
Much consolation is, liowever, derived from the 
reflection, that patriotism was the prevailing sen- 
timent of a great majority of the people. The- 
following general order was published, and dated 
from the navy department, at the city of Wash- 
ington, and sent, as a circular, to the command- 
ing officers of stations, or vessels of the navy of 
the United States. 

" The palpable and criminal intercourse held with 
the enemy's forces, blockading and invadmg the wa- 
ters and shores of the United States, is, in a military 
view, an otFenoe of so deep a die, as to call for the 
vigilant interposition of all the naval ofiicers of the 
United States. 

" This intercourse is not only carried on by foreign- 
ers, under the specious garb of friendly flags, M'ho 
convey provisions, water, and succours of all kinds, 
(ostensibly destined for friendly ports, in the face, 
too, of a declared and rigorous blockade.) direct to 
the fleets and stations of the enemy, with contsant in- 
telligence of our naval and military force and prepara- 
tion, a)id the means of continuing and conducting 
the invasion to the greatest possible annoyance of tlie 
■country ; but the saaie traffic, intercourse, and intel- 
ligence, is carried on with great subtiity and treache- 
ry, by profiigale citizens, v/ho, in vessels ostensibly 
navigating our waters, iVom port to port, under cover 
of night, or other circumstances fovouring their tur- 
pitude, tind means to convey succours or intelligence 
to the enemy, and elude the penalty of tiie law. This 
lawless trade and intercourse is also carried on to a 
great extent, in craft, whose capacity exempts them 
irotn the regulations of the revenue laws, and from 
the vigilance which vessels of greater capacity attract. 

*' 1 am therefore commanded by the President of 
the United States, to enjoin and direct all naval com- 
manding otiicers ; to exercise the strictest vigilance, 
and to stop or detain all vessels or craft, vv'hatsoever, 
proceeding or -apparently intending to pro'ceedii ' tu- 

P 



170 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

wards the enemy's vessels within the xvaters, or liover- 
incr about the harbours of the United States ; or to- 
wards any station occupied by the enemy, within the 
jurisdiction of the United States, from which vessels 
or craft the enemy might derive succours or intelli- 
gence. 

W. JONES." 

The enemy, the better to carry his projects in 
the Chesapeake into execution, took possession of 
Kent-island, and fortified the narrows ; which 
station, he, however, soon afterwards deserted. 
On the lOtli August, he made an attack on St. 
Micbael, vi-itli II barges, which went up the river 
on tlie opposite side, and came down on the side 
of St. Michael, with so little noise, that they were 
not perceived passing up or down the river; and 
as it was very cloucTy, and the men in the fort, 
■jyithout suspicion of attack, the enemy landed 
before they were discovered* 1 he nien fired tv. o 
guns and left the fort, of wh,ich the enemy imme- 
diately took possession, and gave three cheers, 
supposing they v/ould have St. Michael without 
ranch tlifficulty ; but they were very much mista- 
ken, for the St. Michael's people, and Captain 
Yickers, of the Easton packet, with the artillery 
from Easton, attacked them so briskly, and point- 
ed their guns with so much judgment, that our in- 
vaders Vere soon obliiicd to make off^ — the infantry 
were not engao-ed. Not a man of the Americans 
was hurt, although the o-rane-shot flew like hail in 
the town, and their balls wxMit throu.oh a nnmber 
of the houses. The two shots that were fired 
from the fort must have done some execution, as 
a quantity of blood was seen upon the shore, and 
two sv/ords and a pistol were left beliind, and their 
barges were seen to be struck by the artillery from 
the tow li. 

On the morning of the 14th August, at four 
o'clock, the enemy attacked QueenEt^wu, in 



HISTORY OF TflE WAR. iTl 

Queen Ann county, both bv land and v/ater; — 
about 600 troops, were landed^ and marched up 
to the town, and 20 armed barges made the at- 
tack by water — the attack was so unexpected, that 
but httle resistance was made — a piquet guard of 
tlie American militia were fired on bv the enemy, 
1 of them was killed, and 2 or 5 wounded — the 
militia retreated to Center ville, and left the enemy 
in possession of the town. 

Were the enemy to confine himself to the cap- 
turing of vessels and their cargoes, and the de- 
struction of public property, iie v/ould be justi- 
fiable; but it is due to truth, not to conceal, that, 
departing from all established rules of v/arfare, 
he not only carried oft private property, wliene- 
ver he could seize it, but also destro^^ed whatever he 
could reach, and could not remove. On the 2d 
November, he landed on George's island, and 
burned all the buildings on it, lie decoyed a great 
number of negroes, with a promise to make them 
free — and afterwards shi})ped these wretches to 
the West-Indies, where tliey were sold as slaves, 
for tlie benefit of British oilicers. The following 
device was practised with success. 

A party of militia (17 in number,) stationed 
themselves behind the Sanddiiiis, while two white 
men with their faces and hands blackened, went 
down upon the beach, and waved their handker- 
chiefs to the ships, when a boat, with six men, 
immediately came ashore, followed, at some dis- 
tance, by two others, full of men. Just as the 
men from the first boat were preparing to laml, 
one of those disguised, in walking a few stejis, 
showed his bare ancles, vvhich he omitted to black- 
en, when the enemv exclaimed — " White men in 

disguise, by ; let us push off! — which they 

did, and, at the same moment, the militia ran out 
and fired upon them, until they were out of gun- 
shot; they killed two out of the six. 



172 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

It would be impossible, in the compass allotted 
to this work, to do justice to the enemy. His 
barbarous and plundering conduct in the Chesa- 
peake, and adjoining rivers, can only be equalled 
by the conduct of the same enemv in a former 
war. " The species of warfare" says the editor 
of a Norfolk paper, " waged by Captain Lloyd, 
of the Plantagcnet, on the inhabitants of Prin- 
cess Anne country, is of that pitiful and disho- 
nourable, kind, which cannot fail to attach a last- 
ing stigma to his character, and cause his name 
to descend to oblivion, coupled with that of the 
infamous Dunmore, and clogged with the bitter 
execrations of all who shall hear the tale of his 
rapacity." 

The Norfolk Herald thus ably and humanely 
uotices the seizing and carrying oif negroes : 

'^To take cattle, or ether stock, would be consis- 
tent with the usage of civilized v/arfare ; but to 
take negroeSj vvho are human beings ; to tear them 
for ever from their kindred and connections, is v/hat 
we should never expect from a Christian nation, es- 
pecially one that has done so much to abolish the 
fclave- trade There are Negroes in Virginia, and 
we believe in all the southern states, who have their 
iiiterests and affections as strongly engrafted in their 
hearts as the whites, and who feel the sacred ties of 
filial, parental, and conjugal affection equally strong, 
and who are warmly attached to their owners, and 
the scenes of their nativity. To those, no induce- 
ment which the enemy could offer would be suffici- 
ent to tempt them away. To drag them away, then, 
by force, would be the greatest cruelty. Yes, it is 
reserved for Eno-land, who boasts of her reli^^ion, and 
love of humanity, to practise this piece of cruelty, 
so repugnant to the dictates of Christianity and civi- 
lization " 

The o^reat vigilance and activity of the citi- 
zens tended not only to disappoint, but frequently 
to punish the invaders. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 173 

On die lull September, about 15 men volun- 
teered froau a militia company, stationed near the 
inlet, at Noribliv, to go and attack a party of the 
British, who ^ere said to be on shore at the cape. 
Wiien they came to the caj^e, and were mount- 
ing one of the sand-hills, they found themselves 
in fall view, and within mnsket-shot of a large body^ 
of' marines, vv'ho were exerci^ng. A cluster of 
officers were standini^ some distance off, between 
their main body and x)m* militia— the latter had 
not a moment to spare; they took deliberate aim 
at the officers, and fired ; four of them fell. The 
militia then made the best of their way back to 
camp, while the enemy's shot wliistled over their 
heads in all directions, but without effect. 

The proceedings of the enemy along the coast, 
east of the Peiavvare, were not geneially impor- 
tant. 

- The frigate United States, com. Decatur, fri- 
gate Macedonian, capt. Jones, and sloop of war 
Hornet, capt. Biddle, ©n:.the 54th May, got un- 
der way from New- York, with an intention of 
proceeding so sea through the sound. \^'hen off 
Hunt's point, the mainmast of the United States 
was struck v«^ith liglitiiing, which tore away the 
commodore's b'oad pendant, and brought it 
dov/n on deck, passed into one of the port- 
holes, down the after hatchway, through the ward 
room into the doctor's room, put out his candle, 
tore up his bed, and then passed between the skin 
and ceiling of the ship, and tore np about 20 
nails of her copper at water's e^ge. No further 
trace of it could be discovered. The ^.laccvdonian 
Y/as about 100 yards astern of the United States, 
and on observing: the liffhtninri' strike her, immc- 
diatel}^ hove her topsp,ils aback, tearing that the 
fire miLdit fmd i*'^ way to the magazine. 

On the 1st of June, the vesseVi attempted to put 
to sea, but Vf^ere chased into New London l\ ? 

P 2 



174 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

British force, consisting of a 74-, a razee, anH a 
frigate. The blockade of New London was im- 
mediately formed, and the inhabitants very high- 
ly alarmed lest the town should be attacked. 

On the 21st of .Tune, the British privateer 
Buekskin, (formerly belonging to Salem) chased a 
coaster into Owl Head narrows, (a small harbour 
in Massachussetts,) where five others were lying, 
the whole of which were captured, and removed 
down into what is called the Thoroughfare, pre- 
paratory to being manned out, and the}^ began 
unlading one of the sloops, into which they intend- 
ed to put the prisoncs. During this time, from 
200 to 300 militia collected, and proceeded down 
to Fox island, it being thick foggy weather ; when 
at half past 3, on the morning of the 22d, the 
fog clearing away, the privateer appeared at an- 
chor about 20 rods from the shore, where they 
commerced firing upon her with small arms, and 
one field-piece, which killed the privateersmen al- 
most as fast as they came on deck. 1 he 1st lieu- 
tenant cut the cable, and in attempting to hoist 
the jib, (lying flat on his back) had his under .jaw 
shot away ; the captain was killed ; and but 9 
men, it is said, remained unhurt, the rest being 
either killed or wounded. It being ebb tide, she 
drifted out, and when out of reach of the mus- 
ketry, got under way, leaving all her prizes, 
which again fell into* the hands of the rightful 
owners. The crev.'s put in to man them, in at- 
tempting to escape to the privateer in boats, were 
either killed or wounded. Tlie action lasted an 
hour. 

On the 23d June, two barges, containing each 
about 1 5 men, from the blockading squadron ofi* 
New London, attempted to land near the light- 
house, but on observing a company of artillery 
near the shore, pulled off as fast as possible. 
When the enemv imagined themselves- out oi' 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 175 

danger, they stood in the barges and cheered, 
at tnis moment a shot was fired from tlie artillery, 
which struck one of the boats, and killed or 
wounded eight or ten of the men in it. 

A Mr. Scudder formed a design of destroying 
the British ship Ramihes, of 74 guns, off New 
London. For this purpose, ten kegs of powder 
were put into a strong cask, with a quantity of 
sulphur mixed into it. At the head of the cask 
were fixed two gun-locks, with cords fastened to 
the trio-ffers, and to the under side of the barrels 
\\\ the^ hatchway, so that it was impossible to 
hoist the barrels without springing the locks on 
each side of the powder ; and on the top was 
placed a quantity of turpentine and spirits X)f 
turpentine, which in all probability was sufficient 
to have destroyed any vessel that ever floated on 
the water, if she could have been got along side, 
which was the object in view. These kegs were 
put on board the smack Eagle, which sailed from 
New York pn the 15th June, for New London, 
but which the crew abandoned, on being pursued 
by the boats of the enemy. It was expected that 
the vessel would be brought along eide the Ra- 
rnilies, and by exploding, would destroy that 
ship. The wind dying away, and the tide being 
against them, she could not be brought along 
side. When the Eagle exploded, there were 
four boats along side, and a great many men on 
board her. After the explosion, there was not 
a vestige of the boats to be seen ; the body of 
fire rose to a vast height, and then burst like a 
rocket. Every man near or about her were pro- 
bably lost, as the boats sent from the Ramilies 
were seen to return without picking up any 
thinly. 

On the 10th June, three barges belonging to 
the blockading squadron, after capturing some 
sloops off the mouth of Connecticut river, attemp- 



\7S HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ted to land at Say brock, but were beaten off by 
the militia. The enemy had three men killed on 
this occasion. The militia t*sca}^d unhurt. 

On the 24th July, a 1st and 3d lieutenant, a sail- 
fng master, and 5 men, belonging to the Ramilics, 
were surprised and taken on Gardner's island, by a 
party of tlie crew of the United States, despatched 
for tiie purpose by connnodore Decatur. The 
prisoners were paroled, and being at liberty, were 
joined by others of their crew, when they found 
themselves sufficiently strong to seize and carry 
off the American boat. There was an attempt al- . 
.so made to intercept the American })arty, but they 
escaped in a \vhale boat to Sag liarbour, from 
whence they returned in safety to New Lon- 
don. 

Shortly after this transaction, Mr. Joshua Pen - 
nj, of Easthiiinpton, Lon^j inland, v.as taken 
out of his bed during the night, by a party from 
tlie enemy's ship, and being brought on board the 
Ramilies, w*as put in irons. Miijor Case, com- 
manding the troo])s of the- United States at Sag 
harbour, demanded his release as a non-combat- 
ant; but the British oiiicer, (cnptain Hardy) de- 
clined, on the ground that he was a combatant ; 
that he conducted a party of seamen fro'm New 
London to Gardner's island, there to surprize and 
take several British oiiicers; that his narne had 
been entered en the books of one of the frigates. 
and that ^^ he had been employed in a boat con- 
trived for the purpose, under the command of 
Timmas Welling, prepared with a torpedo, to 
destroy this (captain Hardy's) ship." - This last 
aime was undoubtedly that which led to the cap- 
ture and severe treatment of Mr. Penny. He 
was treated with great seventy while on board tlie 
liamjlies, from which vessel he v/as sent to Hali- 
fax, wher^ he v/as treated like other prisoners. 
lie was sent to Salem in iv cartel ship, in May, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR 177 

1814', and probably owsd not oiilj his liberation, 
but iiis Jife, to the circumstance tbat the presi- 
dent of the United Suites ordered two British 
subjects to be held as hostages for ihe safety of 
Mr. Penny. 

The New-London blockading squadron came, 
on the Stii September, by the Sound, to a place 
about 20 miles from the city of New- York, cap- 
tured 20 coasters, took a quantity of sheep from 
the Biain, and had probably other robberies or in- 
juries in view. Conimodoie Lewis, on receiving 
information of the enemy's movement, proceeded 
up the Sound, vvith 25 gun -boats. By nine o'- 
clock on the 9tli5 he was at Sands' Point, within 
10 miles of the enemy. A British frigate and a 
sloop of war got under weigh, and stood to- 
Vi'ard them. At one o'clock, P. M. the com- 
modore brought his fiotilla to anchor in Hemp- 
stead bay, ready to receive the enemy. The Brit- 
ish exchang^ed 10 or L5 shots at too great a dis- 
tance to produce any effect, and tnen stood to 
the eastward, and were soon out of sight. The 
flotilla returned to its former station. 

On the 5th July, the British tender Eagle, 
which had been employed by commodore Beres- 
ford, for the purpose of burning coasters, &c. 
was taken by a coup de main. The smack Yan- 
kee was borrow^ed for this purpose. Sailing mas- 
ter Percival went on board, and concealed SO men 
in the hold, he tied a calf, a sheep, and a goose 
on deck, and, thus prepared, he stood out of 
Musquito cove; three men appeared on deck. 
The Eagle, on perceiving the smack, immediately 
gave chase, and after coming up with her, and 
finding she had live stock on deck, ordered her 
to go down to the commodore, then about five 
miles distant. The hehnsman of the smack an- 
swered " aye, aye, sir," and apparently put up 
the helm for that purpose, which brought him 



173 IIISTOUY OF THE WAI^. 

along side the Eagle, not more than three jiirda 
distant. The watchword, Lawrence, was then 
given, when the armed men rushed on deck from 
their liiding places, and poured into her a volley 
of musketry, which sii iick her crew M'ilh dismay, 
and drove them down so precipitately into the 
hold of the vessel, that they had nut time to 
strike their colours. Seeing- the enemy's deck 
clear, sailing-master Percival, who commanded 
the expedition, ordered his men to cease firino; — 
upon which one of the eneray came out of the 
liold and struck the colours of the eagle. She 
liad on board a 32 pound brass howitzer, load- 
ed with Ccumister shot: but so sudden was the 
surprise, they had not time to discharge it. The. 
crev/ of the Eagle consistecl of H. Morris, mas- 
ter's mate of the Poictiers, W. Price, inidsliip- 
man, and 1 1 seamen and marines. Mr. Morris 
was kiilcvl, Mr. Price mortally wounded, and one 
marine killed and one v/ounded. The Eajrle 



5 



with the prisoners, arrived off the battery in the 
afternoon, and landed the prisoners at Whitehall, 
amidst the shouts and plaudits of thouf^ands of 
spectators, assembled on the batterj'^, celebratii^.g 
the anniversary of our independence. 

A detachment from the gun-boat flotilla near 
Sandy- Plook, most gallantly beat olf about 100 
of the crew of the Plantagenet, which drove a- 
shore and boarded the schooner Sparrow, of BaU 
timore, on the 3d November, near Long Branch. 
The cargo, together with sails, rigging, &c. was 
saved ; the vessel bilged. 

The following co])y of a letter from lieutenant 
Nicholson, commanding the gun-boats at Newport, 
announced the capture of the armed British sloop 
Dart, on the ^th October. 

<•' Sir — I have the pleasure to inform you of the 
capture of the Briusii armed sloop Dart, by the re* 



HISTORY OF THE WAU. 179 

venue cutter of this place, last evening. She appear- 
ed otf the hn.rbor before sun set; tlie captain of the 
cutter offered his services to go out; 1 put on board 
three sailing-musters and about twenty men ; she im- 
mediately made sail and laid aboard the Dart, and 
carried her bj boarding. Ilcr first oflicer was killed ; 
two of our own men were wounded slightly. The pri- 
soners I send for 3'our disposal. Very respectfully, 
your most obedient humble servant, 

"JOHN NICHOLSON. 
" Cjom, John Rodgers, U. S frigate President." 

The British admiral Warren issued a procla- 
mation on the 16th November, declaring Long- 
L^Iand Sound in a state of rigorous blockade. 
Tins was an extension or explanation of a for- 
mer proclamation of the 24tli September, by 
v/hich the ports and harbors of New- York, Char- 
leston, Port-Royal, Savannah, and the river Mis- 
sisippi, were declared in a state of strict and rigor- 
ous blockade. 

A proclamation was issued by tlie governor 
of Vermont on the 10th November, 1815, the ob- 
ject of which was to call home from the service 
of the United States a portion of the militia, 
which liad been then serving in the state of New- 
'York. Brigadier -general JJavis re[)aired to the 
army, and demanded a compliance v*ith the or- 
ders of his excellency ; but obedience was refused, 
and tiie general was arrested. 

A reply to the proclamation w^as drawn up at 
Fkattsburgh the 15th November, and directed to 
his excellency, signed by all the officers of the 
Vermont militia then there. The reph' contain- 
ed, among other matter, the fbllcwing deciSvd 
and unequivocal expressions : 

<< We consider your proclamatlcn as a gross insult 
to the officers and soldiers in service, inasmuch as it 
impjics that they are so ignorant of their rights as to 



180 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

believe you have authority to command them in their 
present situation, or so abandoned as to follow your 
insidious advice. We cannot rea:ard your oroclama- 
tion in any other light, than as an unwarrantable stretch 
of execi-itive authority, issued from the worst of mo- 
tives, to effect the basest purposes. It is, in our o- 
pinion, a renewed instance of that spirit of disorgani- 
zation and anarchy which is carried on by a faction, 
to overwhelm our country with ruin and disgrace. We 
cannot perceive what other object your excellency 
could have in view than to embarrass the operations 
of the army, to excite mutiny and sedition among the 
soldiers, and to induce them to desert, that they 
might forfeit the wages to which they are entitled 
for their patriotic services." 

A most positive proof of that actual treason, 
■which lurked under the sliade of an ill-timed op- 
position to the measures of the general govern- 
ment, was, soon afterward discovered, near New- 
London, as will be best explained by the follow- 
ing comnuniication from commodore Decatur to 
the secretary of the navy, dated at New-London, 
December 20th, 1813. 



a 



Some few nights since, the weather promised 
an opportunity ibr this squadron to get to sea, and 
it was said on shore that v/e intended to make the 
attempt. In the course of the evening two blue lights 
were burnt on both the points at the harbor's mouth, 
as signals to the enemy, and there is not a doubt but 
that they have by signals and otherwise, instantaneous 
information of our movements. Great but unsuc- 
cessful exertions have been made to detect those who 
commui)icate with the enemy by signal. The editor 
of the iSievv-Londou Gazette, to alarm them, and in 
hope to prevent the repetition of these signals, sta- 
ted in that newspaper, that they had been observed, 
and ventured to deriounce those who had made them 
in animated and indi^p.ant terms.. The consequence 
i&f that he has incurred the express censure of some 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 181 

•f his neighbours. Notwithstanding these signals 
have been repeated, and have been seen by twenty 
persons at least in this squadron, there are men 
in New-London who have the hardihood to affect 
to disbelieve it, and the effrontery to avov/ their dis- 
belief." 

The U. S. frigate Congress, capaiii Smith, ar- 
rived at Portsmoath in December, after a cruise 
of nearly ei<jht months. During; her cruise, she 
got sight of an enemy's line of battle ship, with a 
rrigate in company. She captured and destroyed 
one ship and one brig; and sent another captured 
brig as a cartel to the West- Indies. It will be 
recollected that the Congress sailed from Newport 
in April, in company with the President, and 
parted company the 8tb May. 

Theh(?stile attitude of the Indians, and the bat- 
tle with them at Tippacanoe, previous to the war, 
excited alarm, ai^d caused an inquiry into it* 
cause. A committee of congress, on tiiat |>art of 
the president's message, which related to Indian 
affairs, turned tiieir particular attention to the fol* 
lowing inquiries : 

" 1st. Whether ^<?^.j-) and what agency the sub- 
jects of the British government may have had 
in exciting the Indians on the v/estern frontier, 
to hostilities against the United States. 

" 2d. The evidence of such hostilitv, on xSaq^ 
part of the Indian tribes, prior to the late campaign 
on the Wabash. 

'^ 3d. The orders by wliicli the campaign was 
authorised and carried on." 

Tije committee reported, that " the evidence 
before them was as co iclusive as the nature of the 
case can v/ell be su-.^posed to admit of, that the 
supply of Indian goods furnished at Fort Maldeu, 
and distributed during tli« lavSt year by the Brit- 
ish agents m Upper Canada, to the Indian tribes, 



182 liiSTORY OF TIJE WAR. 

were more abundant than usual ; and it is diffi- 
cult to account for tliis extraordinary liberalit}', 
on any other ground than that of an intention to 
attach the Indians to the British cause, in tlie 
event of a war v/ith the United States." 

" Additional presents," continued the commit- 
tee, " consisting of arms and ammunition, giv- 
en at a time when there is evidence that tlie 
British v/ere apprized of the IiOi;tile disposition 
of tlie Indians, accompanied v*-ith the speeches 
addressed to them., exciting disaffection, are of 
too decisive a character to leave doubt on the 
subiect^" 

The part which the Indians took in the war 
between Great Britain and the -United States, 
was an additional and strong evidence in support 
of the agency, wlncli the British government had 
in the early hostility of tiie savages. 

Scarcely was the Indian war with the north- 
western tribes brought to a conclusion, than the 
tcmahav.'k was raised on the south-v/estern bor- 
der. 

The southern tribes were divided into parties: 
one liOi]tile, the other friendly, to the United 
States. The former was the stronger party ; the 
latter needed protection, and were so bent on 
hostility, that it was found impossible to enforce 
on them a neutral policy, A departure from the 
usual forbearance of the United States govern- 
ment, to accept their services, was unavoitlable; 
and the proffered services of friendly Indians 
were accepted. 

It liaving been discovered that in consequence 
of an order from a British general in Canada, a 
large quantity of munitions of war v/ere distri- 
buted by the Spanish governor of Pensaccla, a- 
kiong tlie hostile tribe of Indians, colonel Col- 
lier, with about 180 men, marched with a view 
to iivtcrccpt tlie Indians, on their reairn. On the 



^ HISTORY OF TilE WAR. ia3 

27tli July, 1813, on the east side of Alabama, 
and waters of Escambia, he, fell in with, and 
gave battle to tlie Muscogees. The fight was, 
for a short time, well maintained on both sides. 
At the moment when victory was about to declare 
in favour of colonel Collier's pa-rty, a junior of- 
ficer, without authority, cried out " retreat '" It 
passed through the whole line, and, notwitstand- 
ing the exertions of colonel Collier, it was im- 
possible to rally the militia: the enemy was left 
master of the Held. Colonel Collier lost 2 men 
killed, and 10 wounded. The Indians acknow- 
ledged a loss of 6 killed, and several vvounded. A 
considerable part of the presents brought by the 
Indians from Fensacola fell into colonel Collier's 
hands. 

Fort Mimms, on Tensaw, was unexpectedly 
attacked on the SOth August, by a large force of 
Indians. The i'ront gats lay open, and the In- 
dians were rushing through, when first perceived 
by the garrison. The men, under command of 
major Beasley, were quickly formed, and a part 
of them contested a passage through the gate with 
great bravery; the action soon became general; 
the port-holes were taken and retaken several 
times. A block-house was defended by captain 
Jiick and a few riflemen, for an hour after a 
part of it had been possessed by the enemy. A 
galling fire ''was kept up from the houses, until 
the enemy gave fire to the roofs. The place w^as 
no longer tenable. A retreat was attempted, un- 
der direction of captain Bailey of the militia, and 
ensign Ciiambless, of the rifle company, but few 
of the party were able to effect it. Major Beas- 
ley fell while defending the gate, at the com- 
mencement of the action, which continued for 
about six hours. — Ninety-two men, including of- 
ficers, were killed ; and many respectable citi- 
zens, v/ith numerous families, who had abandon- 



184 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ed their farms for security, were also killed or 
burned in the houses into which they had fled. 
The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained, 
but must have been very considerable. 

Captain Kennedy, who was sent, after the re- 
treat of the Indians, to bury the dead, made a re- 
port to General Claiborne, of which the following 
is an extract : 

" We collected and consio;ned to the earth two 

HUNDRED AMD FORTY-SEVEN, mciudmg mCU, WO- 

men and children. 

" The adjacent woods were strictly searched for 
our countrymen, and in that pursuit we discover- 
ed at least one hundred slaughtered Indians. They 
were covered with rails, brush, &c. We could 
not be mistaken as to their being Indians, as they 
were interred with their war-dress and implements 
— and although the}' have massacred a nunjber of 
our helpless women and children, it is, beyond 
doubt, to them, a dear-bought victory." 

The massacre at Fort Mimms, was followed 
by several other cruel murders in different pla- 
ces. 

The general government, having been inform- 
ed of these transactions, made a requisition on the 
states of Tennessee and Georgia, fo? detachments 
of militia, to be sent against the liostile Indians of 
the Creek nation. 

The legislature of the state of Tennessee adopt- 
ed a resolution, -on the 27th September, in the 
following words : 

Resolved, That the governor of this state be 
and he is hereby required, forthwith to give imme- 
diate information to the executive of the United 
States of the time when, and the place at which, 
the 3,500 men will be prepared to obey the orders 
of the general government, accompanied with a 
re<juest that the said troops be immediately receiv- 
ed into the public service." 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 1S5 

The legislature of Georgia gave authcrity to 
tile governor, to call out such portion of the mili- 
tia, as he might deem necessary, for the security 
and protection of the frontier inhabitants; and 
requiiing that he call on the general government 
■for subsistence for the troops that might be thus 
called out. This was, in efrect, putting them at 
the disposal of tlie general government. 

The militia of the states of Georgia and Ten- 
nessee, with the nearest regular troops, and other 
corps from the Mississippi territory, were march- 
ed ao'ainst the hostile savages. General Andr 'v 
Jackson commanded th^ entire. 

The first victoiy (for every battle, after this pe- 
riod, was a victory,) is thus detaiid by General 
Jackson. 

" We have retahated for the destruction of Fort 
Mimms. On the 2d, I detached General Coffee 
with a part of his brigade of cavalry and mounted 
riflemen, to destroy lalhishatches, where a con- 
siderable force of the hostile Creeks w<L're concen- 
trated. The general executed this in stile. A 
hundred and eighty six of the enemy were found 
dead on the field, and about 80 taken prisoners, 
40 of whom have been brought Iiere. In the num- 
ber left, there i» a sufficiency but slightly wounded, 
to take care of those who are badl}^ 

" I have to regret, that five of my brave fellows 
have been killed, and about t-iO v* ounded ; some 
badly, but none I hope mortally. 

''• Both officers ancl men behaved with the ut- 
most bravery and deliberation. 

" Captains Smyth, Bradley, and Yv'inston, are 
wounded, all sligjitiy. No officer is killed." - 

It appears, by General Coliee's statement, dated 
Camp at Ten -islands of Coosa, November 4th, 
that the Indians fought with a bravery that would 
do them honour, had they been engaged in a just 
cause, w^ith an obstinac}^, that would yield to no- 

C^ 2 



18« HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

lliiiiir l)ut (lead), and willi a coiit.cm])t of danger, 
truly cliaractciistic of the savafre. — 'Tlie detach- 
rn'cnt, nndcr C(>ninuind of CJcncral Coffee, con- 
sisted of 900, erivalry and mounted riflenien. l^c- 
insr arrived \villiii> one and a lialf miles of the 
Talhishatches town, the detachment was divided 
inU) two coliimnK, the light composed of the 
cavahy, under' Colonel Alicorn; the left composed 
of mounted riflemen, under Colonel Cannon, 
(leneral CJofiJi'e marched with the riflemen; Colo- 
)iel Ailcorn encircled one half of the town, while 
C/olonel Cannon completed the circle, by closing 
on the side opjiosite to Colonel Alicorn. W^hen 
within half a mile of the town, the drums of the 
enemy beat, and the savage yells jnmounced that 
the enemy was ]irc]iared for battle. In about an 
hour after sun -rise, Ca])tain Uammfmd, and Lieu- 
tenant Patterson's com})anics went within the cir- 
cle, and succeeded in drawing forth the enemy, 
and commenced the battle, when they withdrew 
before a violent charge from the Indians, imtii 
they reachetl Colonel Aflcorn's colunm, when a 
general fire was o]iencd on the savages, who rcv 
treat( d, firing until they got around and into their 
buildings. Here they fought as long as one ex- 
isted. No quarter was sought, and none, from 
all appearance, would be accepted. I'he assault 
by the troo})s was warm and courageous, rushing 
up to the doors of the houses, as little intimidated 
as if tliere was no enemy to oppose them. In a 
conflict of this nature, it was im})ossiblc to provide 
against the destruction of a fcAv of the squaws and 
children. The number of the enemy killed must 
have exceeded 200; 186 of whom were found; 
84 women and children were taken prisoners. 
The loss of the militia consisted of 5 privates kil- 
led : 4 captains, 2 lieutenants, 2 cornets, 3 ser- 
geants, 5 corporals, 1 artificer, and 24 privates, 
wounded. 



niS'rORY OF Tflfi WAR. 1S7 

On tb*! evening <A the 7tli November, an cx- 
})reii» arrived to General Jackfeorj, ^ith informa- 
tion, Uiat the hostile Creeks liJid erjearripeti in 
^reat f'orc<; nc»?ir Lafehly'fc fort, Clixlliuh^'d,) witfi 
the apparent intention of attacking the i'riendly 
Indians, 'j'lie general immediately marehe^l with 
aly>ut 2000 men^ a^-ainfet the enemy, and encamf)- 
ed that night withm fcix mih'H of the fort. At 4 
o'clock, on the morning of the 8th, he continual 
hi« march toward>i the enenjy, who wa« encamped 
within a c^narter of a mile of the fort, t^> relieve 
which, (/enera! .Jackv>n had W) exf;editi(/Uhly 
moved, At fcun-rii4<;, the general was within half 
a mile of the fort, when he lucjVi^d iorvtunh In or- 
der ofK **' . 'i he plan of attack wa« feimilar U> 
that wh -.ij ^jfCfvad at) hucce»«ful on the 3d in^-tant. 
ilw; enemy wa^ t<>» he encloMrd in a cmh-. 
The iuivjiiced guard *erit forward to bring 
on the engagement, aucccuUsd in drawing forward 
the savages toward the main Ix/dy of tfie anny. 
(Jn the arrival of the Indiana, witnin a hhon dii>- 
tancc of the main Ixxly of the arrny, a few cotf> 
panics of the militia comuutrxced a retreat; bat 
finding timit [Aace cjuickly Hupplie^j by a body of 
ca^'alry, who d'lKmt^unied ior the r;uq>^>*ye, the 
militia rallied, when a {fuiuiiid fire from t}ie front 
lirie, and from that j/art of the wingH which wan 
c^>ntigu(>ijK, wa* pourwJ on the ^avagefe, who ijrjfi- 
bieto withstand or rehifct, retreated; but were met 
at every turn, and n-pulfced in every direction. 
Ila^l it not bef.T] for the retreat of th<; militia, in 
th-- r^r r!y part of the action, thi« viclor;/ t^ould 

p/'. iV Jiave l>t:«n n» c^^mpic'te as that ol the 2d. 

i'he vicV>ry, however, wai^ very decisive; 21^0 of 
tfi* enemy were left dead on the field ; n«an v mr^e 
were probably killed, who were not iounii; and 
many, or nic^t of tliose who eM;aj>c-d, niu^t have 
beea vumwktiL Jackaon wa» c</mpelk^ Uj return 
to his camp near tlie Tcn-ifclarid>., hixvinr^ marched 



183 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

from thence without bajjo:ac:c, or othe*' necessaries 
that could be dispensed with, or might retard his 
march. He lost, in the engagement, 17 killed, 
and 86 wounded. The enemy exceeded 1000 
warriors. A stand of colours, bearing the Spa- 
nish cross, was taken from them. 

On the 12th November, General ^Yhite was de- 
tached from Fort Armstrong, on the Coosa, with 
about 1100 mounted men, (including upwards of 
SOO Cherokee Indians,) for the purpose of attack- 
ing the Hillabee towns, on the west side of Talle- 
poosa river. On the 17th, about 1 o'clock at 
night, the detachment marched v^ithin eight miles 
of the uDoer town, received information ti om one 
of their spies, a haif breed and son of a Mr. Gray- 
son, who had considerable property, and resided 
in that place, that his family and property would 
be sacrificed by the Indians on the next day,;>if 
General White did not relieve him. General 
White, with alacritjf, dism.ounted three hundred 
of his troops, with part of the Indians, and mar- 
ched to surprise the town before day-light. Hav- 
inf>' laroe creeks to wade, and the van havino; to 
tarrj' some time for ti^e rear, which had fallen be- 
hind some distance, the tov/n was not reached 
until sun -rise on the IStli, when the town was 
completely surrounded,- and the savage enemy re- 
ceived the first fire without the least notice of the 
approach. They fired several guns, but we . 
charged home upon them with loaded muskets, 
and charoe of bayonets: and in 10 or 15 minutes 
tiicy held up a flag, and the firing ceaseti. An 
Indian town at OaktViskee, consisting of 30 houscF, 
a town called G.enait»a, consistinix of 93 houses, 
were burned by the troops in tlieir march. The 
great nuniber, if not the whole of tlie hostile 
Creeks, assembled at the Hillabee town, ccnsist- 
^ ingof about 316, v/ere either killed or captured. 
Sixty warriors, were killed ou the spGt.^-Geiierai 



HISTORY OF THE Wx\R. 189 

White's detacbment had not a man killed or 
wounded. 

Gen. Floydj with 950 of the Georgia militia, 
and between 300 and 400 friendly Jndians, pro- 
ceeded to a town called Aiittossee, on the south- 
ern bank of Talapoosee, about 18 miles from the 
Hickory Ground, in order to attack a large force 
of hostile Indians, reported to be assembled at 
that place. At half an hour after six o'clock, in 
the morning of the 29th November, the expedi- 
tion reached the front of the town, and the men 
were formed for action. At this time, when the 
army was about to execute a pre-concerted manoeu- 
vre, for the purpose of surrounding the enemy, 
a second town was discovered about 500 yards be- 
low that which was first discovered. This com- 
pelled Gen. Floyd to adopt a new manoeuvre, by 
dividing and disposing his force, so that both 
towns might be attacked at once. This disposi- 
tion being made, and the troops having advanced, 
the battle commenced, and soon became general. 
The Indians fought with their usual obstinacy and 
desperation, but were soon compelled, by the su- 
perior force of artillery, and a charge of bayonets, 
to retreat and take refuge in out-houses and copses 
in the rear of the town. At nine o'clock, the 
cnemj was completely driven from the plain, and 
the houses wrapped in flames. The militia beir^g 
60 miles from any depot of provisions, and but 
little remaining, it was judged imprudent to con- 
tinue in the heart of a country, surrounded by 
hosts of savages. This place was, therefore, 
abandoned, and the troops commenced their march 
to Cliatahouchie. 

Auttossee was a favourite spot with the Indians, 
and it is conjectured, that the force assembled 
from several towns for its defence, must have been 
very considerable. It is difficult to give a precise 
account of the loss of the enemy; but from the 



T 

liJO HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

number which were lyino- scattered over the field, 
together with those destroyed in the towns, and 
the mimv slain on the bank of the river, wliich re- 
spectabie officers affirm they saw lying in heaps 
at the water's edge, where tliey had been precipi- 
tated by their surviving friends, their loss in kill- 
ed, independent cf their wounded, nnist have 
been at least 200, (among whom v/ere the Auto- 
see and Tallasee kings;) and from the circum- 
stance of their making no efforts to molest the 
troops, probably greater. The number of buil- 
dings burnt, some of a superior order, for the 
dv/eliings of savages, and filled with valuable ar- 
ticles, is supposed to be 400. 

The number of the Americans killed and 
wounded, as furnished by the hospital surgeon, 
was — total killed, 1 1 ; total wounded, 54? ; among 
whom was general Floyd, badly. 

A detachment, under command of fjen. Clai- 
borne, marched from Tort Claiborne, east bank of 
the Alabama, on the 3 Sth of December, against 
the Indians residing on ciie Alabama, above the 
mouth of the Cahaba. After a march of niore 
than 100 miles, principally through woods, with- 
out a track to guide them, they came in sight of 
a nev/ town lately built by the Indians, on a ground 
called "holy." This town was established as a 
place of securit}'' for the inhabitants of sever- 
al villages, and three of the pro})hets resided in it. 
The place was then occupied by a large body of 
the enemy, under the command of Wetherford, 
a bold and sanguinary chief, who was one of 
those who commanded the Indians at the massa- 
cre of the garrison and inhabitants at Fort Minis. 
About noon, on the 23d December, the right co- 
lumn of the army, composed of 12 months' vo- 
lunteers, commanded by col. Joseph Carson, came 
in view of the town, and was immediately and 
vigorously attacked by the enemy, who, being ap- 



inSTORY OF THE WAR. }0{ 

prized of tlie approach of the troops, hnd chos^eii 
their field of action. Before the other troops or 
friendly Indians coukl come generally into action, 
the enemy were repulsed, and iiying in all direc- 
tions. Thirty of the enemy were killed, and ma- 
ny wounded. The loss to the army was one 
killed, and six w^ounded. A pursuit was attempt- 
ed, but found to be impracticable, owing to the 
nature of the ground. The town, consisting; of 
200 houses, was burned, together with a large 
quantity of provisions, and immense property of 
variolas kinds, which the enemy could not carry 
away. The next day was employed in destroy- 
ing a town consisting of sixty houses, eight 
miles higher up the river. 

Notwithstanding these repeated defeats, the sa- 
vages seemed yet bent on war. Before day, on 
the morning of the 27th January, a very large 
body of Indians attacked the troops at Camp- De- 
fiance, 48 miles west of Chatahouchie. The on- 
set was desperate, and the surprise as complete as 
possible. In 20 miinutes after firing on the sen- 
tinels, the action became general, the enemy 
.pressing close uj)on the frojit, right and left flanks 
of the army ; but the savages were repelled at 
every point. The enemy rushed nearly to the 
cannon's mouth, and gained the rear of the pic- 
quet guards, commanded by capt. Broadnax : 
but the latter bravely cut their v/ay through the 
savages, and joined the army. As soon as day 
dawned, and objects could be distinguished, a 
charge was ordered, and the enemy fled before 
the bayonet, llie signal was given for the charge 
of the cavalry, who pursued and sabred 15 of the 
enemy, Vvdio left 37 dead on the field. From the 
effusion of blood, and tlie number of head-dress- 
es and war-clubs found in various directions, their 
loss must have been considerable. The loss of 
the army, on this occasion, was 17 killed, and 152 



1Q2 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

wour.decl. Of the friendly Indians, 5 were killed, 
and J 5 wounded. 

Gen. Jackson having received information at 
his head-quarters, Fort Strother, from captain 
M'Alpin, who commanded at Fort Armstrong, 
in the absence of col. Snodgrass, that 14 or 
15 towns of the enemy, situated on the waters of 
the Tallapoosa, were about uniting their forces, 
and attacking the fort, Vv'hich was then in a fee- 
ble state of defence, the general resolved on an 
excursion into the enemy's country, further than 
had been hiiherto attempted. He accordingly 
commenced his march on the 15th of January, 
with 930 men, exclusive of Indians. On the 18th, 
the army encamped at Talladega fort, where it 
was joined by about 200 friendly Creek Indians, 
and 65 Cherokees. Here the general received a 
letter from Colonel Snodgrass, who had returned 
to Fort Armstrong, informing him that an at- 
tack was soon to be made on that fort, by 
900 of the enemy. It v/as further understood 
that the eiiemy was collecting in a bend of the 
Tailapoosfcc, near the rziouth, of a creek called 
Emuckfau, on -in island below New Yorcan. 

On the 20th at night, the army encamped at 
a small Killabce village, about 12 miles from 
Emuckmu. On tlie 21st, the army marched in a 
direct line for the bend of the Tallapoosee. In 
the afiernooii, the army halted, and the general 
deternnned to encamp for the niglit, that he might 
have time to reconnoitre, and make dispositions 
for attack, if he v.ere in the neighbourhood of a 
large force, which, from appearances, he judged 
to be the case, liavini^ chosen an eligible scite, 
the army encamiped in a hollow square. Spies and 
piquets were sent out, the sentinels doubled, and 
the necessary arrangements v/ere made to resist 
an attack, if it should be attempted during 
the niijht; or to make one, if the enemy c%)u Id be 



HISTORY OF THE WAR i^5 

found ^trdHy-light the following morning. While 
the army was in thi » state of readiness, the ene- 
my, about six o'clock in the morning, commenced 
a vio'orous attack on the left flank, which was as 
vio'orously met. The action raged for half an 
hour on the left flank, and on the left of the rear 
of the army. The brave general Coffee, with 
colonel Sittler, the adjutant general, and colo- 
nel Carroll, the inspector general, the moment the 
firing commenced, mounted their horses and re- 
paired to the line, encouraging and animating 
the men to the performance of their duty. So 
soon as it became light enough to pursue, the 
left winxr, having sustained the hent of the ac- 
tion, and being somewhat weakened, was rein- 
forced by captain Ferrill's company of infant- 
ry, and was ordered and led on to the charge 
by general Coffee, who v/as well su})ported by 
colonel Higgins, and the inspector general, and 
by ail the officers and privates who composetl 
that line. The enemy was completely routed 
at every point, and the friendly Indians join- 
ing in the pursuit, they wcj-e chased about t\70 
miles, with considerable slaughter. 

General Coffee, who was detached with 400 
men to reconnoitre the enemy's encampment, re- 
turned with a view to bring up the artillery, 
vv'hich he deemed necessary to the attack. In 
half an hour after his return, a considerable 
force of the enemy opened a fire on a party of 
meii who were then in search of Indians. Gc- 
deral Coffee, with only 54 men, a part of 200 
who vrere to have acted with him, commenced 
an attack on the left flank of the enemy ; 200 
fj-iendly Indians "Were ordered at tlie same time 
to attack tlie enemy's right. At this moment it 
was discovered ih at the attack cf the enemy was 
but a feint, having intended, by drawing off the 
genertd's attention from his left, to attack it 

R 



194' HISTORY OF THE WAR 

with success : in this the cnefny was disappointcil. 
The whole hne met the apfroac)! of the enemy 
with astonishing intrepidity, and having charged, 
forced the savages to retreat with precipitation. 
They were pin sued to a considerable distance, 
and severely galled by a very destructive fire. 

During this transaction, general Coffee was 
contending against a very superior force. As soon 
as possible a reinforeement Was sent to his aid, 
which soon decided the contest in that quarter: 
the enemy was cliarged, routed and pursued for 
three miles. Nothing now remained but to de- 
stroy an empty can)p, which did not seem of 
sufficient importance to delay a return to fort Stro- 
tlier, which wa.s commenced on the followiiig 
morning. 

On the 24'th, as the men w^ere crossing tlce 
Enotachopoc creek, an alarm gun announced the 
advance of the enem.y. General Jackson expected 
an attack, and had dispositions made to turn it to 
the disadvantage of the enemy. The right and left 
co]ums of the army v.ere dirteted to turn on their 
pivots, recross the creek above and below, and 
fall on the eneany's flanks and rear. The manoeu- 
vre, if executed, would jorcjbably prove as destiuc- 
tive to the enemy as any thing hitherto attem])ted ; 
but, at the moment when a few guns were fired, 
the right and left columns of the rear guard gave 
way ; the greater part of the centre column Ibilow- 
ed'the disastergus example, leaving not more tjiaa 
25 men, who maintained their ground as long as 
possible. There was then left to repulse the ene- 
my, but the few who remained in the rear guard, 
the artillery conu^any, and Captain Russell's com- 
])any of spies. 'Amidst a most galling fire from 
the "enemy, diis little banc', not one-tenth of the 
number opposed to it, advanced to the attack. 
The artillery and a few otiiers gained the top of a 
hill, drawing un with them n six -pounder, whea 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 195 

they-pcHived on ilie e^*»-my severeal discharges r^> 
grape, thcil charged, repulsed, and pursued him 
for two miles, IcaYing 26 of their warriors dead on 
the field. The loss in these several engagements, 
was 20 killed and 75 wounded. The loss of the 
enemy could not be exactly ascertained ; ] 89 of 
their warriors were found dead ; this undoubtedly 
formed but a part of the killed ; the wounded must 
have been proportionably numerous. 

All the effects intended by this excursion, seem 
to have been produced. If an ^attack v/as intend- 
ed against Fort Armstrong, that was prevented; 
a diversion w^as made in favour of General Floyd, 
who was on the east side of the Tallapoosee; tlie 
number of the enemy was lessened, and their con- 
fidence in their leaders broken in on ; the enemy's 
country was explored, and a road cut through an 
important part of it; and, on the whole, tended 
to, and hastened the termination of Indian hosti- 
lities, as much, if not more, than any previous 
expedition. 

Hiiherto the enemy w^as engaged either in open 
field, or in situations where he had little advantage 
from M^orks of art, and not much from nature. 
One situation remained to be assailed, where a 
skilful display of art rendered a position naturally 
strong, so seemingly impregnable, that it required 
a great effart of courage to approach it, a consu- 
mate skill to direct the attack, and a })er severing, 
undaunted resolution, to prosecute it to success. 

In the bend of the Tallapoosee, two rniles be- 
yond v/here General Jackson engaged the Indians 
on the 22d January, the savages iiad fixed on a 
scite for erecting a fortification. Nature furnished 
few places more eligible for defence, and it was 
improved by art, with a skill not discovered before 
in an Indian fortification. The bend resemble?, 
in its curvitr' ?, a horse-shoe. Across the neck of 
l#nd, wiUcli leads into it from the north, a breast- 



196 HISTORY OF THE WAR- 

•^.oik was erected, of the greatest compactness atul 
strength, from 5 to 8 feet high, and prepared with 
double rows of port-liolcs, \evy artful Ij' arranged : 
an army could not approach it, without being ex- 
posed to a double and cross fire from the enemy, 
who lay in perfect security behind it. General 
Jackson resolved on the attack ol" this iniportant 
and doubly strong position. The Indian force 
amounted to about, or upwards of 1000 warriors. 
The army approached this formidable position on 
the 27th March, near enough to prepare for the 
attack. General Coffee, with the mounted men, 
and nearly the whole of the Indian force, crossed 
the river about two miles below the encampment, 
with a view to prevent the escape of the Indians; 
the infantry advanced slowly along the point of 
land which led to the front of the breastwork ; 
a six and a three pound cannon were planted 
on an eminence, at a distance of 150 or 200 
yards from it. A fire from rifles was directed 
against the enemy, whenever he showed himself 
beyond his defences. When this fire was kept up 
about two hours, a party cressed over in canoes, 
and iircd a few of the buildings, and then advanc- 
ing boldly up to the breastwork, connnenced A 
fire on the enemy behind it. This proving insuf- 
ficient to dislodge him, general Jackson resolved 
to take it by storm. The troops received the or- 
der with acclamation, and advanced with an ar- 
dent and zealous enthusiasm. " Having maintain- 
ed," says general Jackson, in his letter to gov, 
Blount,* " for a few minutes a very obstinate con- 
test, muzzle to muzzle, through the port-holes, m 
which many of the enemy's, balls were welded to 
the bayonets of our muskets, our troops succeeded 
in gaiiiing possession of the opposite side of the 
works. The event could no' longer be doubtful. 
The enemy, although many of them fought to the_ 
last with that kind 'of bravery .-wliith dci»j>eratioii 



FlISTORY OF THE WAR. 197 

inspires, were at lengtli routed and cut to pieces. 
The whole margin of the river whicli sur- 
rounded the peninsula, was strewed with the 
slain." The fighting continued with some severity 
about five hours. Five hundred and fitty seven of 
the enemy were left dead on the peninsula, and a 
great numiber were killed in attempting to cross 
the river; it was s^upposed that not more than 20 
escaped; 250 women and children were taken 
prisoners. General Jackson's loss amounted to 43 
white men killed, and 17S wounded; 23 friendly 
Indians killed, and 47 wounded. 

This battle broke down the spirit?, as it mate- 
rially reduced the remaining strength of the sava- 
ges* Wetherford surrendered himself to general 
.rackson. Six or seven towns followed the exam- 
ple of this chief. M'Queen, with 500 of hia fol- 
lowers, retired to the Escambia river, n.ar Pensa- 
cola. Peace was quickly restored. The militia 
were disbanded, and returned to their homes. 

VVetherford, whose unconditional surrender has 
been just menti(med, had been the most active and 
feanguinai-y of all the Indian chicls. He signalized 
InmHelF in several actions: ever present where 
danger pressed, he vv^as the constant advocate 
of murder and extermination. In a private 
interview with general Jackson, he delivered the 
following speech : 

**I fought at Fort ?vlimms — I fought the Georgian 
army — I did you a!i the Injury I could — had I been 
supported as I was provnised, I would have done you 
more. But my warriors are all killed — I can fight you 
no longer. I look back with sorrow, that I have 
brought destruction on my nation. I am novvin your 
power— do with me as you please. I am a soldier.'* 

The barbaroi^s complexion which the enemy 
gave to the war, was not confined to the empioy- 
naent of Indians. We have already detailed bar- 
barities in which Indians did not participate. Ma- 

K 2 



/^ 



J9« HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ny otliers must remain untold ; our limits will not 
admit a full detail of this part of the subject. The 
treatment to prisoners of war was not merely un- 
usual ; it w as, in th€ last degree, cruel, unprece- 
dented, barbarous. The authenticated proofs, 
congressional records, affidavits, &c. are shocking- 
ly numerous. 

The exercise, by Britain, of ^ presumed right 
to command, at all times, the services of native 
subjects, gave rise to one of the causes of war, to 
wit, the impressment of seamen out of neutral ves- 
sels on the high seas. This principle, it was in- 
tended, should govern the enemy in conducting 
the war. 

The crew of the United States' brig Nautilus, 
which had been captured in the early part of the 
war, arrived at Boston in a cartel, the 11th Sep- 
tember, 1812, except six men, who were put in 
irons; and were, as lieutenant Crane understood, 
to be triied for their lives as British subjects, found 
in arms against their king. Commodore Rodgers, 
on learning the circumstances, stopped a cartel 
which hpd got under way for Halifax, and took out 
twelve Englishmen as hostages for the six Ameri- 
cans. 

On the 11th October, six of the crew of the 
private armed ship Sarah-Ann, v.hich was captur- 
ed and seut into Nassau, were taken out of jail, 
&nd sent to Jamaica, to be there tried as British 
^subjects, found in arms against their king. It ap- 
pears, that, on this occasion, tlie British officer 
fell into a mistake, similar to those which had been 
so commonly committed before the declaration of 
war ; four of the persons thus detained were na- 
tives of the United States ; the others were Irish- 
men by birth, but had been naturalized citizens of 
the United States. On the arrival of captain Moon 
(late conmiander of the Sarah-Ann,) at Charles- 
ton. 12 Englishmen, including a midshipman. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 199 

were put in close confinement, as hostages 
for the six men taken from captain Moon's 
crew. 

By a letter from George S. Wise, purser of the 
United States' sloop of war Wasp, to the secre- 
tary of war, it appear^ that after the capture of 
that vessel, by the British ship Poictiers, 12 of 
the crew of the W^asp were detained by captain 
Beresford as British subjects. 

That the enemy intended to deny to others 
the exercise of rights in the manner as claimed by 
iiimself is evident from the circumstance of the 
British admiral Warren having refused the lib- 
eration of Thomas Dunn, a native of the United 
States, because the said Dunn had been married 
in England, and had been eight years in his ma- 
jesty's service. The application for his liberation 
was made by Mr. Mitchell, U. S. agent for the 
exchange of prisoners at Halifax, at the particu- 
lar request of the father of said Dunn, then re- 
siding at Boston. 

Twenty-three of the prisoners, taken by the 
enemy at Queenstown, were sent to Enghmd to 
be tried as British subjects, for appearing in 
.arms against their king. The United States' gov- 
ernment ordered 23 British soldiers into close 
confinement, as hostages for the safety of those so 
taken at Queenstown. In retaliation, the British 
government ordered 46 United States' officers and 
non-commissioned officers into close and rigorous 
confinement. 

The system of retaliation, after this circum- 
stance, bore a very- serious aspect, and threatened 
to be as extensive as prisoners on either side were 
numerous. 

The secretary of state transmitted to congress 
on the 16th April, 1814, a very important report 
on the subject matter which led to tlie practice 
of retaliation, in which it is stated, that the Bri- 



200 HISTORY OF THU WAR. 

tish government, among other pretexts for not 
discliarging citizens of the United States impress- 
ed into their service, alietjed that they were na- 
tives of Prussia, Sweden, &c. thus evincing that 
the recovery of their own native subjects was not 
the sole motive of impress . nent. — The secretary 
further reported, 

" That all the nations of Europe naturalize fo- 
reigners, 

" Tliat they all employ in their service the 
subjects of each other, and frequently against their 
native countries, even wlien not regularly natural- 
ized. 

** That although examples may be found of the 
punishment of their native subjects taken in arms 
against them, the examples are few, and have 
either been marked by peculiar circumstances 
taking them out of the controverted principle, 
or have proceeded from the passions or policy of 
tlie occasion. Even in prosecutions and convic- 
tions having the latter origin, the final act of 
punishment has, with little exception, been pre- 
vented by a sense of equity and dread of retalia- 
tion. It is confidently believed that no instance 
can be found in which the alleged purposes of 
the enemy against the twenty-three prisoners in 
question, under all the circumbtances which belong 
to their case, even thou^jh any of them mov not 
have been regularly naturalized, are countenanced 
by the proceedings of any European nation." 

A publication, of which the following is a 
copy, appeared from the navy depaitment of the 
United States the 28th July, 1814, and was un- 
derstood to be a relinquishment of the system of 
retaliation, on tlie part of England and of the 
United States; the 23 American soldiers sent to 
England, and all other Americans held by the 
enemy as hostages, having been restored to the 
state of Oi"«iinary prisoners. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. . 201 

*< AH ofFiccrs, seamen and marines of the United 
States' navy, captured by tlie troops or vessels, within 
the command of sir George Prevost, pripr to the I5th 
day of April last, liave been duly exchanged, and de- 
ckired competent to serve against the enemy. They 
will therefore inmiediateiy report themselves to the 
commanding naval officer of the station on which the}' 
iire or may arrive." 

The time when the armies must be in winter 
i|aarters, and the ofiiceio less engaged than tliey 
would be at another season, was chosen for the 
trial of general Hull. A general court-martial 
assembled for that purpose at Albany, the 5th 
Januar}^, 1814, and proceeded in the trial, from 
time to time, until the 8th March. 

Three charges were presented against him, to 
wit, treason against the United States; cowardice; 
and neglect of duty and unofticer-like conduct; 
to all which he pleaded not gui't3^ 

The general, having protested against the com- 
petency of the court to try the first charge, the 
court declined makinn; an vformal decision on it; but 
yet gave an opinion that nothing appeared to them 
Tv)]ich could justify the charge. 

The court acquitted him of that part of the 
tliird specification which charges him with hav- 
ing ^' forbidden the American artillery to hre on 
the enemy, on their marcli towards the said Fort 
Detroit," and found him guilty of the first, se- 
cond part of the third, and the fourth specifica- 
tions. 

On the third charge the court found the ac- 
cused guilty of neglect of duty, in omitting sea- 
sonably to inspect, train, exercise, and order the 
troops under his command, or cause them to be 
done. They also found him guilty of part of the 
fourth and fifth specifications, and the whole of 
the sixth and seventh j and acquitted him of the 



202' HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

second and third, and part of the fourth and fiftii 
specifications. 

The court sentenced " the said brioadier-cren- 
eral WiUiam Hull to be shot to death, two thirds 
of the court concurx-iiig in the sentence; but, in 
consideration of his revolutionary services, and 
his advanced sge, reconnnended him to the mer- 
cy of the president of the United States." 

Tlie president of the United States approv- 
ed the sentence, remitted the execution,^ and order- 
ed the name of -general Hull to be erased from the, 
list of the army. 

The general, in an address to the people of 
t]\Q United States, appealed to their decision a- 
gainst the verdict and sentence oi* the court, de- 
claring himself innocent, notwithstauding the ver- 
dict, and charging the government with persecu- 
tion and injustice to himself. 

A circumstance of great interest, and which 
might have a great effect *)n the war between 
Great Britain and the United States, occurred 
in March, 1814. On the 3 1st of that month, the 
allied armies of Austria, Prussia, and Russia^ 
headed by their respective sovereigns, triumph- 
antly entered the French capital, overthrew the 
Bonapartean dynasty, sent its chief into exile, 
and replaced Louis XVII I. on the throne of his an- 
cestors. 

Hitherto the p^^ver of England was divided 
between making war on France and the United 
States of America; it was to be now entirely 
turned against the latter, at least so the British 
editors threatened. Indeed America would cer- 
tainly be punished, overthrown, re -subjugated, 
and enslaved, if the editors' lead could be form- 
ed into balls instead of types, and these pressed 
into cannon, instead of being pressed on paper. ' 

The new situation of affairs in Europe created 
much alarm., but no despondency in America. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 20% 

The citizens saw the approach of a terrible con- 
flict, but they resolved to meet it. The legions, 
which gained the character of " invincible," in 
Spain, Portugal, and France, were to be vomit- 
ed on the shores of America; the thousand ships 
of Britain were to blockade the coast ; British tars 
without number were to cover the lakes ; and these 
myriads, by sea and by land, were to be directed 
by those commanders who swept the European 
navies from the ocean, and outrivaled the best 
generals of the first warrior in the world. Yet, 
notwithstanding these exterminating threats and 
gloomy prospects, America was destined to pre- 
serve her independence and honor; and to gather 
more laurels in 1814, than she did in any former 
year of this war. 

A small quantity of stores, intended for the 
use of the army and fleet at Sackett's Harbor, 
were deposited at Fort Oswego ; and a consider- 
able quantity at the Falls, 10 miles in the rear 
of tL-j fort. Tlv3 enemy prepared an expedition 
to seize both. Lieutenant colonel Mitchell, of the 
artillery, arrived at Oswego on the 30th April, 
ISl^, for the protection of that place, which he 
found in a very bad state of defence. Of cannon 
there were but five guns, 3 of which had lost their 
trunnions. What could be done in the way of 
repair, was effected; new platfbi'ms were laid, 
the gun-carriages put in order, and decayed pick- 
ets Ve-placed. At day-hght, on the morning of 
the 5th May, a British naval force of 4 ships, 3 
brigs, and "a number of gun and other boats, 
were discovered at about 7 miles from the fort» 
The force at the fort consisted of 290 efiectives. 
These were too few for the purpose of defence. 
It became necessary to disguise this weakness, 
and to keep the entire in one place; for this pur- 
pose, the tents were pitched on one side of the 
river, and tlie men were all ordered to the other. 



204 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

At one o'clock, 15 large barges, crowded witli 
men, moved towards the side opposite that on 
which the tents were pitched, and where there 
appeared the least show of resistance. These 
were preceded by gun -boats, to cover the land- 
ing. As soon as the boats got within the range 
of shot, a very successful fire was opened from 
the shore-battery, which compelled them to re- 
tire twice, when they stood off, and returned to 
their ships. Some boats, which had been desert- 
ed, were taken up by the militia, one of the 
boats was 60 feet long, and could accommodate 
150 men. 

At day-break, on the 6tb, the fleet again ap* 
proached the fort. The Yvolfe, and other ves- 
sels, kept np a fire for three hours against the 
fort and batteries?. Colonel Mitchell, finding 
that the enemy had landed about 2000 men, with- 
drew his small force into the rear of the fort, and 
with two companies, (Ilomayne and Melvin's) met 
their advancing columns, while the other com- 
panies engaged the flanks of the enemy. — With 
the aid of lieutenant Pierce, of the navy, and 
some seamen, the little American band maintained 
its ground for half an hour. Colonel Mitchell 
then marched his force, but not precipitate) v, to 
the falls, destroying the bridges in his rear. The 
enemy, although commanded by general Drum- 
mond, and commodore Yeo, did not think proper 
to pursue the colonel. They burned the old bar- 
racks, and evacuated the fort about three o'clock 
in the morning of the 7th. 

The American loss amounted to 6 killed, 38 
wounded, and 25 missing — total 69. Deseiters 
from the enemy stated his loss to be 70 killed, 
165 wounded, tlrowned and missing — total 235. 
Eight i)ieces of cannon, and some stores, worth 
about one hundred doiiars, fell into the enemy's 
hands. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 2(:^ 

On no occasion did the Americans deserve bet- 
ter of their country; at no time before did the 
enemy buy victory with less advantage to him- 
self, or at a dearer price. Tiie companies under 
command of colonel Mitchel], consisted of Boyle's, 
Romayne'r, M'Intire's, and Pierce's, li^avy ar- 
tillery, aiid a few seamen ; in all, -less than 300 
men. Twice they repulsed, and for nearly two 
days maintained a contest against seven times their 
number, and finally succeeded in ])reserving the 
stores at the falls, the 'loss of which would ma- 
terially impede the operations of the army and 
navy. The enemy carried off 60 of the unarmed 
inhabitants of the village, who were stated in the 
British report as so many prisoners. 

On the 30th May, captain Woolsey of the navy, 
being on his return from Oswego, with 18 boats, 
carrying a number of cannon, and a quantity of 
rigging for the new vessels at Sackett's Ilarborj 
put into Sandy Creek, about 16 miles from the 
Harbor. Fearinsf an attack from the enemv, 
major Apling was placed, with 120 riflemen, and 
a i'cw of the Oneida Indians, in the woods, en 
each side of the creek; a few raw militia were 
sent forward to make a show of resistance. The 
plan succeeded ; the militia, on the first fire from 
the enemy, retreated in apparent confusion, and 
were pursued until the entire passed the riilemen 
and bidians. who were in ambiisli. The enemy 
was attacked in the rear, while^a battery of 4 field 
pieces opened on him in front. The cont-est was 
not of long duration. After ten minutes fighting, 
the enemv surrendered* The enemv lost 2 ncst-^ 
captains, 4? lieutenants of the royal navy, prison- 
ers ; 2 heatenanti> of marines wounded and pri- 
soners; 1 midshipinan, and 13 sailors and ma- 
rines killed; 28 sailors and marines v/ounded, 
and 133 sailors and mnrines prisoners — tctal 183: 

8 



206 HISTORY OF THE WAH. 

2 gunboats and 5 barges were taken. Only 
one of the American army was wounded. 

On the 15th May, the enemy landed several 
hundred men at Pultneyville, (which is on tiie 
margin of Lake Ontario,) and took possession of 
100 barrels damaged flour, which were in a store 
close by the lake. General Swift, on hearing of 
the advance of the enemy, reached Pultneyville 
with about 130 volunteers and militia; but, 
deeming this fjrce too small to oppose a numer- 
ous enemy, within the range of the guns of his 
fleet, he did not dispute the possession of the 
dama^^ed flour : but findino; the enemy proceed- 
ing to other depredations, he commenced a fire 
on him from an adjacent wood, which v/ounded 
seversl, aiid compelled him to re-embark, when 
a cannonade commenced from the fleet on the 
town, without doing material injury. A large 
quantity cf flour was deposited about a mile 
from the town, v/hich the cnenjy chose to forego 
the plunder of, rather than trust himself in the 
woods with general Swift and his riflemen. 

in this month, colonel Campbell, (19th infant- 
a's) "^'''^*»-^' ^ detachment of 5 or 600 men, and 
fiome seamen acting as artillerists, crossed from 
Erie to Long point. About 50 Briti h dia- 
|Toons, stationed tliere as an out-j^ost, and guard 
to public stores, made their escape. The mills 
. employed in m.amilacturii^g flour for the enemy, 
and some houses occupied as stores, were burn- 
ed; when the parry returned, without losing 
a man. 

The following transaction with the enemy's 
fleet on lake Clianiplain, will be best explained 
by giving the following extract of a letter from 
major-general Izard, Cv?mmanding the first, cr 
divibicii of the right, dated at his licad-quar- 
Icrs, May 17th: 

*' On receiving notice of tlie enemy's proceeding 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 207 

up the lake on the 13th inst a detachment of light 
artillery, unck^r tlie coinmaud of Capt. Thornton, of 
that corps, was dispatched in waggons from Burling- 
ton to Vorgennes, where they manned the battery at 
the mouth of Otter creek. At day-break, on tha 
H'tii, the enemy attacked with his whole force, and 
after a severe cannonade of two hours and a half, 
during wJiich they suffered very considerably, they 
withdrew to repair damages. Yesterday they de- 
parted tliis place, having some of their vessels in tow, • 
and are gone to their ow^n ports, Two of their gal- 
leys are said to be missing. No damage was done 
on our side, except dismounting one gun in the 
battery, by which two men vvere slightly wound- 
ed.'* 

TJie Chesapeake bay \vns likely, a,nd proved, 
to continue n theatre of the enemy's deprecia- 
tions. A number of boats, carryinii; heavy me- 
tal, were constructed in March, 18i4<, on the 
eastern shore of Maryland, for the protection 
of the bay, and the command of til em given to 
that intrepid officer, commodore Barney. This 
flotilla proved a great armoyance to the enemvj 
ivas an object of his constant attention, and was 
finally destroyed, as will be hereafter particularly 
detailed. 

The enemy had a skirmish on tlie 29th Mavj 
with the Accomack militia, v/hich reilectcil the 
highest honour on the latter. Between 6 and 7 
o'clock in the morning, the enemy entered the 
Pamgoteaquc creek. ' They uere at first most 
gallantly met by 2d. lieutenant Underhill, of the 
artillery, and 6 or 7 men, who stood the lire 
ot their 18 pounders, grape, musketry and Con- 
greve rockets, then within 60 yards, when lieiit. 
Underjiid, finding all farther resistance total- 
ly useless, and not having a suitlcient force to 
remove the artillerj^, caused it to be spiked, 
and retreated. The piece fell into the hands of 



203 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 



9f 



the enemy, v/ho also destroyed some triflmj^^ 
buildings, wliich had been occupied as barracks. 
Finding no resistance from the point which 
lieutenant Undcrhill had occupied, they com- 
menced tlieir landing, and in a few minutes had 
from 450 to 500 men, 200 of whom were negroes, 
all w^ell armed, formed, and advancing from the 
shore, the negroes in front. From the place 
of their landing, they marched about three quar- 
ters of a mile into the country, where they 
were met by a party of militia, not more than 
25 in number. This little band stood for two 
hours the whole force of the enemy. At this 
time the militia began to collect, which the 
enemy perceiving, retreated to his ships, and thus 
escaped being either killed or taken prisoners. 
During their stay on shore, the enemy committed 
several petty robberies and shameful excesses, car- 
rying av/ay bacon, poultry, &c. 

Commodore Biirney got under way on the 1st 
June, witli his flotilla, in the Patuxent, with thein- 
enlion to engage or chase away the enemy. On ap- 
proaching them, he discovered two schooners 
one a full ri«,';ged, show^ing nine ports on a side. 
When off St. Jerome's, "he discovered a large 
ship under way, and that she had despatched 
a number of boats to the aid of the schooners. 
The wind having veered so as to prove un- 
fovourable to the flotilla, the commodore made 
signal for the Patuxent, and was follow^ed by a 
74-, three schooners, and seven barges. After 
doubling round C-edar point, in the mouth of 
the river, he found that gun -boat No. 137 was 
so far astern, that she must be taken, or saved 
by an engagement. The conmiodore brought 
the Scorpion, and gun-boat No. 138, to anchor, 
tent men on board the boat 137, to row and 
tow her in, and signaled his oilier vessels to 
return and join him. The Scorpion, and boat 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 209 ' 

i 38, opened a fire on a large schooner, ar.d a 
number of barges, which ]ia(l got aliead of the 
boat 137. The commodore's barges, at this 
tinie, had returned, and rowing down on the 
enemv, o-ave them a number of sliots, and then 
returned into oort with all the flotilla. This 
bold exploit did great honour to Barney and 
liis crews. 

The enemy Landed at Cedar point, in the 
eveniiig of the 4th Jime, and carried off several 
negroes, and considerable stock, from the planta- 
tion of Mr. Sew^al. 

The enemy's squadron being reinforced by a 
razee and a sloop of war, the commodore moved 
his flotilla up to the mouth of St. Leonard's 
creek. At 5, P. M. the 8th June, he perceiv- 
ed a sliip, a brig, 2 schooners, and 15 barges, 
coming up the Patuxent, whereupon the commo- 
- dore moved his flotilla about two miles up the 
creek, and there nioored them in line abreast a- 
cross the channel, and prepared for action. At 
8, A, iVl. the enemy's barges came up the creek, 
the, ships, ike, were anchored at the mouth of 
the creek : a rocket barije was advanced on the 
flotilla. At thi:s time, the commodore got his 
barges [13 in number) under way, leaving the 
Scorpion and gun-boats at anchor, aiul rowed 
down upon the enemy, v^hen they precipitately 
sailed and rowed off, with all their means. The 
commodore pursued them tmtil near their shin- 
ping, when his barges were brought back to their 
moorings. In the afternoon, the enemy came 
up the creek again^ tlirew some rockets, and were 
again pursued and driven out of the creek by the 
flotilla. 

The situation of commodore Barney and his flo- 
tilla m St. Leonard's creek, was really unpleasant 
and critical. He was, however, relieved by a bold 

S 2 



210 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

and successful attack on the enemy, on the 
morning of the 26th June. 

The followin^i]^ is a copy of commodore Bar- 
ney's report to the secretary of the navy : 

Sir, 
This morning, at 4, A. M. a combined attack of 
the artillery, marine corps and flotilla, was made up- 
on the enemy's two frii^ates at the mouth of the 
creek. After two Ijours' engagement, they got under 
way and made sail down the river. They are now 
warping round point Patience, and I am moving up 
the Patuxent with my flotilla. My loss is acting 
midshipman Asquith, killed, and ten others, killed 
and wounded. 

With respect, &c. 

JO§HUA BARNEY. 

In June, the enemy landed about 400 men, and 
burned the tobacco warehouses at Lower Marlbo- 
roiifdi, and Mao"ruder's ferrv, and also Cole's 
wareiiouse. It is impossible, in our present limits, 
to detail every petty and wanton act of an un- 
principled and mean enemy ; where he could re- 
move the plnndered property, he removed it ; 
what he -could not remove, he destroyed. In Cal- 
Tert, near Lower Marlborough, they forced a- 
way with them some negroes, also took some cattle 
and poultry. 

A person v.ho repaired to the scene of de- 
predation after the enemy liad retired, wrote to 
his friend in Baltimore, — " It would have dis- 
tressed you to see the tobacco at Magrudcr's, 
burning, as I did, this evening. Eleven hundred 
iio«'bheads, nearly all consumed, and about four 
hundred at Lower Marlborough, where they 
took a schooner, (captain David's) and loaded 

licr." 

The enemy peiformed one exploit, v/hich, if 
}QOt tarnishecl by the barbarous use he made of 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 21 1 

conquestj would have left bim one instance of 
victory, not petty. 

The enemy appeared in great force in the 
Chesapeake, about the niiddie of August, 1814. 
More than 50 of liis vessels entered the Patux- 
ent, and landed about 5000 troops and marines, 
chiefly about Benedict, 4<0 miles south east of the 
city of Washington. Tlie force at the disposal 
of general Winder, wlio had been appointed to 
the command of this district, was unibrtunately 
inadequate to defend the city, and it fell into the 
power of the enemy. The entire force of every 
description which could be collected to oppose 
tlie enemy, did not exceed 5000 men; these, 
however, would have been sufficient for the pur- 
pose, had they all acted with equal firmness. 
Of these, several hundreds arrived after the bat- 
tle commenced, and many after the retreat had 
been ordered. The force actually engaged was 
less than 2000. 

On the 20Th, colonel Munroe, who proceeded 
the previous day with coloiiel Thornton's troop 
of horse, to reconnoitre the enemy, reported that 
he had landed in force. Captains Caldwell and 
Tilghman, with their commands of cavalry, were 
sent in the afternoon of this day to annoy the ene- 
my in his advance, ar.d remove such puj^plies of pro- 
visions as lay in his route. On the 22d, the Biitish 
flankers ap|)roached the wood-yard, 12 miles from 
the city, vvh^^re general Winder, with his main bo- 
dy, was pobted. The line of battle was ibrnied by 
the American troo})s, but the enemy filed off to 
the left. At 9 o'clock, Commodore Barney caused 
his llotilla to be destroyed, and he proceeded 
with his men to take post in front of the e* 
nemy. 

On the evening'of the 23d, general Winder's 
head quarters were at Battalion Fitjlds, within 8 
miles of the city, and a short distance from Bia- 



212 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

densburg. At 1 o'clock, on the 24tli, the army 
was posted on tlie right of Bladensbm-g, about 
half a mile distmitfrom the village. The artillery, 
from Haltimore, supported by major Pinkney's 
rifle battalion, and a part of captain Doughty 's, 
from the navy-yard, were in advance, to com- 
inand the pass of the bridge at Bladensburg. 
Soon after 1 o'clock, the enemy a})peared, advan- 
cing: tov>'ard the brid-re over the eastern branch. 
When they reached the bridge, which they did in 
solid column, the artillery opened a warm fire on 
them, ajid the reflemen, and a regiment of mih- 
tia, were soon engaged. Before 2 o'clock, the 
enemy advanced so close on the Baltimore volun- 
teers, as to force them to retreat, bringing with 
them their artillery and arms, excep.t one piece, 
which was lost by the unruiiness of the horses. 
The retreat was not tlie elfect of cowardice, for 
no men could behave v/ith more honour to them- 
selves. While they fought, they made a galling 
impression on the enemy, and when forced to 
yield before numbers vastly superior, they v*^ould, 
no doubt, have yet sought a place from which to 
triumph in a contest so handsomely began, but 
they were not properly supported. The ri<dit and 
centre of Staiibury's l)rigade, consisting oi Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Ragan and Shuler's regiments, 
generaliy giive way, and fled in disorder, nor could 
they be rallied with the exception of about 40 men, 
and a part of captain shower's company, both of 
whom, even thus deserted, made a gallant but 
ineffectual stand. Colonel Ragan, in his great 
efforts to rally his men, was wounded, and taken 
prisoner. The 5ih Baltimore regiment, under 
lieutenant colonel Sterrett, being tlie left of gene- 
ral Stansbur;y's brigade, still stood their ground, 
and, except for a moment, when a part of them 
recoiled a few steps, remained firm until ordered 
to retreat. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 213. 

The reserve, under general Smytb, of the 
District of CoKunbia, with the militia of the city 
of Georgetown, with the regulars, and some de- 
tachments of Maryland militia, flanked on their 
right by Corn. Barney and liis men, and Colonel 
Beal, maintained the contest with great effect, 
until overpowered by numbers. Btu'ney and his 
gallant men had just gained the ground from a sta- 
tion near the navy yrivd^ and opened from three 
18 pounders, a lire, which, for the time it lasted, 
and considering the means, was perhaps the most 
destructive and active that has ever been experien- 
ced. The brave Barney ii}ll, scveiely wounded, in- 
to the hands of the enemy. His men fought, un- 
der his orders, muil the enemv reached nearly to 
the muzzles of the guns; nor did they retire, un- 
til ordered to do so, after every hope of victory 
vanished. The enemy treated the Commodore 
with that courtesy and attention, which his splen^ 
did merit could not fail to inspire. 

The battle bcinf? now over, after continuintj 
more than an hour. General Ross, who com- 
manded the land force, and Admiral Cockburn, 
who commanded the seamen and marines, entered 
the city with a part of their forces. And now be- 
gan a scene, which, in the opinion even of a sa- 
vai>e. would disi^race tlie characters while livino-, 
and, after death, consign to eternal intamy, the 
names of these two commanders. Never will bar- 
barism and the fate of Washingt^m be coupled in 
history, without being accomp>anied by the names 
of lloss and Cockburn. The destruction of })ri- 
vate property would be in character with the con- 
duct which disgraced the British arms in the Che- 
sapeake and elsev.'here. The triumphant entry 
of the marauders into the capital of an infant re- 
public, gave them an o})portunity of proving the 
respect in which they held the ai ts, sciences, and 
literature. " They," to use the woi!ds of President 



214. HISrOUY OF THE WAR. 

Madison's proclamation, " wautoijly destroyed the 
public edifices, having no relation in their struc- 
ture to operations of war, nor used at any time for 
military annoyance; some of these edifices being 
also costly monuments of taste and of the arts, 
and others, depositories ofthe public archieve-, not 
only })recions to the nation, as the memorials of 
its origin, and its early transactions, but inte- 
resting to all nations, as contributions to the gene- 
ral stock of historical instruction and political sci- 
ence." With the public buildings, tlie natioiivd 
library was destroyed. Cockburn attended in per- 
son, to the destruction of the printing materials, 
in the office of the National Intelligencer. A fcw 
private buildings were burned., 'i he navy-yard, 
with all its shipping and stores, including a nev/ 
frigate and a sloop of war, were destroyed, pre- 
vious to its occupation by the enemy. The Bri- 
tish army retired in the night of the 25th, in pru- 
dent harry, and with studied silence, leaving se- 
veral of their wbmided behind, and some of their 
dead unburicd. The American loss was stated by 
General Winder, to be between 30 and 40 killecf, 
fi*om 50 to 60 wounded, and about 120 taken pri- 
soners. *' From the best intelliircnce," says the 
genera!, "there remains but little doubt, that the 
enemy lost, at least, 400 killed and wounded, and 
of these a very unusual portion killed." 

Fort Warburton having been deserted b}^ the 
United States' troops, commanded by Captain 
Dyxon, and consequently destroyed by the enemy, 
the latter advanced towards Alexandria, tiie civil 
authority of which, submitted to the most dis- 
graceful terms of capitulation, by which the city 
was given up to plunder. The enemy carried off 
14 vessels, laden v/ith Hour, tobacco, cotton, gro- 
ceries, and a variety of goods, taken from the 
private stores. 

A series of the most darhisf exertions were made 



HISTORY OF THE WAI^. 215 

by Commodore Rotlgers, Porter and Perry, with 
their seamen, and some oi' the Virginia mihtia, 
to prevent the eseape of the enemy with liis booty, 
but he got off, with some U:>ss, taking the plunder 
with him. Terms, similar to t'lose accepted by 
Alexandiia, were offered to Georgetown, which 
tiie latter indignantly rejected, and escaped being 
plimdered. ' - 

I'he enemy attempted to justify liis predatory 
warfare in the Chesapeake, and el^ewhere, by })ro- 
fessing, that he acted in retaliation of excesses, 
said, by him, to have been committed by the ar- 
mies of the United States, in Canada. — N(^thing, 
however, could be farther from truth. I'he con- 
duct of the republican armies could, by no fair 
construction, justify the barbarities of the enemy, 
and it was vy-ell known, that the robberies and des- 
truction of private projierty and buildings, parti- 
cularly in the viqinity of the Chesapeake, and its 
tributary streams, had, in many instances, preced- 
ed those said to have been committed by the 
Americans. 

The enemy, probably emboldened by his suc- 
cess at Washington, projected a descent on, and 
of course, the plundering and burning the city of 
Baltimore. The movemerits of the enemy having 
led to a suspicion of his design, General Samuel 
Smyth, the revolution-ary hero and defender of 
Mud -fort, made some early dispositions to repel an 
invasion, if such should be attempted. 

General Striker v/as detaclied, on the evening 
of the iith September, with a portion of his bri- 
gade on the North-point-road. Major Randal, of 
the Baltimore county militia, having under his 
command, a light corps of riflemen, and muske- 
try, taken from General Stansbury's brigade, and 
the Pensylvania volunteers, was detached to the 
mouth of Bear creek, with orders to co-operate 
with General Striker, and to check any lar,ding 



215 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

which the enemy might attempt in that quarter. 

On Monday, the 12th, the enemy landed be- 
tween 8000 and 9000 men, at North-point, 14 
miles from Baltimore, the land force under com- 
mand of General Ross, the seamen under Admi- 
ral Cockburn. General Striker had, that morn- 
ing, taken a good position at the junction of the 
roadts, leading from Baltimore to the North-point, 
havino- his riijht flanked by the Bear-creek, and 
his left by a marsh. Here he waited the approach 
of the enemy, having sent on an advance corps, 
under the command of Major Heath, of the 5th 
regiment. " This advance," says General Smyth, 
in his re})ort, " met the enemy, and after some 
skirmishing, it returned to the line, the main bo- 
dy of the enemy being at a short distance in the 
rear of their advance. Between 2 and 3 o'clock, 
the enemy's v/hole force came up and commenced 
the battle, by some discharges of rockets, which 
were succeeded by the cannon from both sides,. 
and soon after the action became general along the 
line. General Striker gallantly maintained his 
ground against a great superiority of numbers, 
during the space of an hour and tvventy minutes, 
when the regiment on his left (the 51st) giving 
way, be was under the necessity of retiring to tiie 
ground in his rear, where he had stationed one 
regiment as a reserve. He here formed his bri- 
gade: but the enemy not thinking it advisable to 
pursue, he, in compliance with arrangements, 
iell back and took post on the left of my entrench- 
ments, and half a mile in advance of them." 

The following extracts, fro a General Smyth's 
report, will best explain tl^ further moveurents of 
the respective armies. 

** About the time General Striker had taken the 
ground just mentioned, he vv sjoincd by Brig. Gen, 
Winder, who had been stationed on the west side of 
•the city, but was w^^: ordered to march with Gen* 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 217 

T)ou'jflas' bri-yade of Virginia militia, and the 
United States' dragoons, under Captain Bird, and- 
take post on the left of General Striker. During 
these movements, the brigades of General Stans- 
bury and Foreman, the seamen and marines un- 
der Commodore Rodgcvs, the Pennsylvania vol- 
unteei's under Colonels Cobean and Findley, the 
Baltimore artillery under Colonel Harris, and the 
maritime artillery under Captain Stiles, manned 
the trenches and the batteries — ^all prepared to re- 
ceive the enemy. We remained in this situation 
during the night. 

"On Tuesda}^ the enemy appeared in front of 
my entrenchments, at the distance of two miles, 
on the Philadelphia road, from whence he had a 
full view of our position. He manoeuvred during 
the morning towards our left, as if v/ith the inten- 
tion of makino' a circuitous march, and cominjj 
down on the Harford or York roads. Generals 
Winder and Striker were ordered ' to adapt their 
movement to those of the enemv, so as to baffle 
this supposed inteiition. Tirey executed this order 
with great skill and iudo^ment, bv takin^r an ad- 
vantageous position, stretching from my left across 
the coLintry, when the eneni}^ was likely to ap- 
proach the quarter he seemed to threaten. Tins 
movement induced the enemy to concentrate Jiis 
forces (between one and two o'clock,) in my front, 
pushing his advance to within a mile of us, driving 
in our videttes, and show^in^r an intention of at- 
tackino- us tliat evenin^^. I iuunediateiv drew Gens. 
Wincier and Striker nearer t<;%,the lett of my en- 
trenchments, and to the right of the enemy-, with 
the intention of their fallin/ on his rhAit or rear, 
Sihould he attack me: or, it he declined it, of at- 
tacking him in the morning, lo this movement, 
and to the ^trenirth of niv ctcience, v/hich the eiie- 
my had tiie faireiic opportunity of t)bserviug> .i*am 
induced ;,o attribute his retreat, which was coui- 



21S histoi:y of the^war, 

nieiiced at half pai^t one o'clock on Wednesday 
morninc;. In this he was sofavoured by the extreme 
darkness, and a continued rail?, that v,e did nt^t 
discover it nntil day-light. 

*" I liave now the pleasure of calling your attention 
to the brave commander of Fort M'Hemy, Major 
Armstiad, and to the operations confined to that 
quartc]'. The enem}' made liis approach by water 
at tl)e same time that his army wa& advancinjr on 
the land, and commenced -a discharge of bonibs and 
rockets at the fort, as soon as he got within range 
of it. The situation of Major Armstead was pecu- 
liarly trying — the enemy, having taken his posi- 
tion at such a distance, as to render offensive opera- 
tions on the part of the fort entirely fruitless, whilst 
tiieir bombs and lockets were every ruoment fall- 
incr in and about it — the officers and men, at the 
same time, entirely exposed. 1 he vessels, liovv- 
evcY, Lad the temerity to approach somewhat near- 
er — tijey were as soon compelled to v,'ii}i{haw. 
During the nii:,ht, whilst the enen:v on land was 
retreating, and whilst the bombindment was most 
severe, two or three rocket vessels and barges snc- 
eeeded in geiiing up the Ferry Branch, but they 
were ycon compeiJcd to retire, by the foft& iji that 
Quarter, commanded by l>icutcnant Newcomb, of 
the navy, and Lieutenant Webster, of tlie flotilJa. 
The?e forts also destroyed one of the barges, 
tvith all on board. 1 he barges and battery at the 
Lazaretto, under the command of Lieut, Ruttcr, 
of thef;olilla, kept up a brisk, and it is believed, 
a successFui fire, during the hottest period of the 
bon'bardment." 

It vvas impossible for veteran, cr the most expe- 
rienced troo};s, to act with more firm discipline, 
or cool courage, tlmn the ciiizens of Baltimore, 
and the troops engriged, did on this occasion, with 
the*excepUon. already mentioned. A pursuit of 
the enemy was attempted, without, however doing 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 219 

liim much injury. The troops were so exbaii&te-J, 
wit4i throe days and nii^hts fatigue, thi>i tbey could 
do little more than pick wo a i'ew stras-olers. A 
line of defences thrown up by the Americans from 
Back River to Humphries' Creek, on the Pataps- 
co, v/ere used by the enemy to protect his embark- 
ation. 

As a measure necessary to the takincr of Baiti- 
more, Admiral Cockl)urn sei}t5 what he relied oa 
as a co!i3petoiit force to take Fort M^Henry, situa- 
ted on a point of land about two miles from ihe 
citv. Tile enemy's- vessels were ranged on the 
12th, at a respectable distance, in frcnt of the 
works. At an early hour, onthelSth, six bombs 
jind some rocket vessels, commenced the attack, 
but at such a distance as to have little effect. A 
vast many very heavy bombs and rockets were 
throv/n from the shipping, and answered pro for- 
ma from the iort^ the Lazaretto, batter}-, and bar- 
ges. This noisy play lasted until near 3 P.M. 
when the enemy dropped nearer the l}attery. Tlio 
firing now became more frequent, and soon brcasne 
tremendous, but the enemy finding tha' the men in 
the fori; conld hit , as well as fii e, soon slipped 
their cables and drew off to their former distance, 
from which they continned the bombardment. 

Favoure-ti by a dark ni,o;ht, one or two of the 
enemy's bomb vessels, and several b<vrges, witii 
1200 chosen men, passed the fort at about one 
o'clock, in the morning of the 14 th, and proceed- 
ed up the Pafcapsco,^ to attack the town in the 
rear, and probably v/itli a view to effect a landing. 
From their new station,"they commenced a very 
warm tlirowing of bombs and rockets, but were 
repaid witli such rigoar and clFect, that the screams 
of their wounded could be he^rd in the niklst of 
a roar of arms, that made the houses in the city 
shake, for nearly an hour and a half. About 3 
o'cioclv tlie enemy retired, much crippled, to his 



220 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

former respectful distance, when he again commen- 
ced the bombardment, and continued it nntil day- 
light, when he finally withdrew. The entire du- 
ration of the bombardment was little short of 24 
hours. The loss of the enemy, on board his ves- 
sels, cannot be ascertained, but was undoubtedly 
great; that in Fort M'Henry was astonishingly 
small, consisting of 4 killed, and about twenty 
wounded. Major Armistead commanded the fort. 
A party of Commodore Rodgers' crew was posted 
at Fort Covington ; Barney's flotilla m.en were sta- 
tioned at the city battery. 

The enemy's retreat was attended with mortifi- 
cation and disappointment. Gen. Ross, the des- 
troyer of Washington, was killed ; and, at least 
800 men killed, v>oundcd, and missing. — 1 he en- 
tire American loss did not exceed 20 killed, 90 
wounded, and 47 missing. 

The enemy was at Chaptico in October. The 
following particulars of the excesses committed at 
that place, appeared in the Alexandria Herald, 
signed Robert Wright. 

"I passed tliroiigli Chaptico shortly after the ene- 
my leit it, and I am sorry to say, tluit thei^* conduct 
would have disgraced Cannihiils ; the houses were torn 
to pieces, the well, which alForded water for the in- 
habitants, was, filled up, and, what is still worse, the 
church and the eslies of th.e dead, shared equally bad 
or worse fate. Will you believe me, when 1 teliyou, 
that the sunken gravts were converted into barbacue 
holesj ! ! The remaining glass of the chujch windows 
broken the communion table used as a dinner table, 
and then In-oken to pieces ! Bad as the above may ap- 
pear, it dwindles into insijinitieance, when compared 
with w'hat follows : the vault was entered, and the re- 
mains of t!ie dead disturbed. Yes, my friend, the 
winding sheet was torn from the body of a lady of the 
nr&t respectability, and the whole contents of th« 
vault, eiuireiy deranged ! ! ! 



HISTORY or THE WAR, $ti 

Soon after loaving Gh.iptico, the enemy visited 
St. IiiLyoes, in St. M-ary'ii comity, Marylaiid. 
Tliis was th3 hubitadqn of a missionary, raid the 
scite of a lii>-Jiaii Catholic church. Nothing could 
ixe expected but the furnitore of the prie:-t, and 
phittj ot- the cluircli. Both were takea ; feather- 
beds, sheets, blankets, curtains, spoons, kniver, 
forks, &c. were taken away or destroyed; the sa- 
cred ve>nnents were thrown about, thev^>sse]s, coii- 
secraied to the service of God, profaned, the al- 
ter stript n^iked, the tabernacle carried oflj and 
tlie blessed sacrament borne away in the haJids of 
tiiose sacriiei>'ious wretciies. , Some few articles 
were restored at the instance of the British officer, 
who would probably wish to see th(^ entire restored, 
but he could not command them; "they are," said 
lie, '^ a set of rulEans." Some other arUcies, be- 
it>niiinfy to the church, were restored in a few days 
aft<?rwards. 

Tlie tbibwing circmr.stance proves how dearly 
tlie enemy gains a victory, when, oppoiied by a 
force, however sm--vil. 

0;i the evenuig of the 5th November, Captaia 
Gordon, naval commander at Noribik, despatch- 
ed -2 tenders, ar^l 4 boats, oif Black River, for 
the purpose of conveying several craft, then lying 
in that river, and bound to Norfolk. Tiie vesseie 
were, unfortunately se[)arated, during* thcnioht; 
the boats, ov/in-'- to a rouiHi ren, reiurj'iod to Nor- 
foik. The two tenders, Fra?)kliii aiid DespatclJ, 
v/ere separated from each other. 

Tile commaiider of the Despatch, finding, in 
the morning, tiiat lie had driited in a calm, near 
the enemy's sinps in Lynuhaven, and that they wt-re 
manning their boats, to attack him, madti sig- 
nal to the Franklin, and t'iic boats lying under 
Old Point. The boats joined the Despatch; and 
the enemy's boats, after exchanging a few shots, 
and a breeze having s])rung up, gave over tjie 

T 2 



222 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

chase, and directed tlicir attention to the Frank* 
lin, that lav nearly becalmed up the bay. The 
enemy came up with the Franklin, about JO A.M* 
when the firing'- commenced. Durin»; an hour and 
' a half, the P^ranklin's crew, consisting of Mr. 
Hammersley, master's mate, who commanded ; 
one midshipman, (Mr. Cook;) two master's mates 
and pilots, and .SI men, maintained a gaihsnt de- 
fence against a tender and 14 barges and boats of ' 
the enemy. The tender and two heavy hnuiches, 
made several attempts to board, but were as often 
beaten o^. At length, at haU' past 11, the Frank- 
lin was carried, beino; boarded at the same mo- 
ment by the ciews of 5 heavy beats. 

The peace in Europe having relieved the ships 
and seamen of Englantl from any other engage- 
ment, except the v.ar against the United States, 
it was supposed, that an American shi^) would not 
dare lonoer to venture on the ocean, or sail on the 
lakes. Every American port was to be blockaded, 
every sea-port town to be burned or destroyed ; 
the frames of frigates were to be transported li cm 
England, and suddenly put together, and iaun.ch- 
ed on the lakes. The violent threats were heard, 
the expected legions looked for, with a coolncvss, 
on the part of the Americsns, which evinced cou- 
rage; but with a preparation that evinced a deter- 
mination to defend their homes, their famiiies\, 
their country, and libert}'. 

Two armed launches and four barires of the 
enemy carrying about 220 men, entered Connec- 
ticut river, m the evening of the 7th April, and 
arrived at Fettipaug- Point, about four o'clock in 
the niornin<y of the Sth. It was auite a surprise 
on the few inhabitants, who had no means ot re- 
sistance. They immediately landed and burned 
all the vessels at the v/harvcs, and on the stocks, 
except a brig, a scliooner, and two sloops, which 
they carried down the river, on their retiring, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 22S 

after 10 o'clock; but the wind shifting, they burn- 
ed all except the schooner, and not being able to 
proceed, they came to anchor a shorl distance be- 
low Pettipaug, where they lay until night, then 
burned the schooner, and departed, without in- 
terruption, or any attempt to annoy them, except 
that a few guns were firtd on them after they had 
passed the mouth of the fiver, to which they -re- 
turned three cheers, and passed off. 

During the 8th, the militia collected to the num- 
ber of about 1000, with six field pieces: an ofli- 
cer, with 150 sailors and soldiers, I'rom New- Lon- 
don, had also ariived. General Williams, under 
authority of the state of Connecticut, assumed the 
command. Nothing " seemed more easy than to 
capture the enemy, yet no attempt was made to 
do so, unless a summons to surrender can be so 
considered. Much censure was then attributed to 
the general for his dilatory conduct, and it seems 
not to have been hitherto accounted for. About 
25 vessels were destroyed, many of them large und 
valuable. 

Commodore Hardy of the. Ramilies 74-, address- 
ed a letter in .-. ay, to the British agent for pri- 
soners of war in Boston, stating that he had arrived 
ill the bay, with an adc(}uate force to carry the 
blockavle into eftoct, and requesting him to make 
it known to the neutral consuls and agents in that 
town and state, that the blockade would be rigo- 
rously enforced, agreeably to the proclamation tor 
the same. 

I'he following copy of a letter from Commodore 
Lewis, commaaoing ih^ United States' flotilla at 
New- York, to the secretary of the navy, dated 
May 29, 1814'5 will shovv' that the Yankees deter- 
mined to have some trade, notwithstanding the 
mighty force of the enemy on the ocean. 

" Sir — I have the honour to inform you, that on 



S^l. HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

the 19th I discovered the enemy In pLirsuitof a !)rig 
un()er American colours, standing for Saiidy-Hook.— - 
I ordered a detachment of ]1 ijun-boats to proceed 
to sea, and pass between the chase and the enemy, bjj;^ 
which means to brin^ him to action, and uive oppor- 
tunitv to the ciiase to escape, all which was eirected ; 
the eneniv, after receiving my fire, bv)rtf awav, and 
the hihj; in qnestion entered the harbour, and proves 
To be the brig Regent, froni France, with a very va- 
luable cargo. And on Monday, the- 2.-3d, I ecjiaged 
the enemy before New-London, and opened a pas^sage 
for 40 sail of coasting vessels ; the action lasted three 
hours, ia which the iloiiila suffered very little. No. 
^ received a shot under water, and others through 
the ijails. XYe have reason to believe that the enemy 
sufleved very great injury, as he appear.!d unwilling to 
renevy the action the following morning; my object 
was accomplished, which was to forced passage fortiie 
c^^Hvoy. There are before New London 3 seventy- 
fours, 4? frigates, and several small vessels, the latter 
doing great i)ijury, from their disgtiised character and 
superior sailing. 1 have the honour to fissure you of 
my high respect, 

J. LEWIS." 

As soon as tb.e cn(ra^'(emcnt ceased, the flotil- 
la Civae to anchor before the liarbour of New Lon- 
don, within «vun-sliot of tbe enemy, w;ltli a view 
of ren caving the action in the nicrning, when we 
faimd that the enemy had collected all lii;^ force, 
in number seven Jiidps and several siiiali vessels, 
in conse<:j,iiGnce of which great acc/ession of force, 
the })rojC'tt of rencA ing the action was -abandon- 
ed, and signal v^as made to proceeil up Sound, 
whether the enen)y pursued as liir as Faulkner's 
island. 

Cal'itain Sawyer, of the smack Rcsclution, 
from Stoningtoi), informed, that in the gun-boat 
battle, one fehot passed thiongh tiie mainsail of 
the Sylph, and another cut away her ensign ; that 
ojAe biiot passed, through the bow G£.the Maid- 



HISTOHY OF THE WAR. ' 225 

stene, one through lier foremast, and one into 
her hull ; and that on the day after the engage- 
ment, a number of men from these vesseiss were 
buried on Fisher's island. 

A British squadron, consisting of a 74 gun 
shi}), several fri .rates, and smaller vessels, with 
numerous launches, spread terror along the coast 
of Massachussetts, and succeeded in doing consi- 
derable injury to coasting vessels. About 200 
men landed on the 13th May, at Wareham, 
in Massachussetts, and burned 12 or 13 ves- 
sels, valued at about 20,000 dollars. They also 
set fire to a stocking-factory, which was extin- 
guished by the citizens, before much injury was 
done. 

Captain Allen, of the schooner William and 
John, of Sedgwick, Maine, was bound to 'Boston 
w^ith a cargo of lumber. Captain Allen put in- 
to Dyer's c^^eek, on the 20th May, but finding 
himself chased by the barge of the British schoon- 
er Bream, he hailed the barge, when she reached 
within about 50 yards, but received no answer. 
Captain Allen then ordered the barge to keep off. 
The captain, discovering the men in the barge 
about to fire a swivel in her bow, ordered his 
men to fire, and take good aim. Four shots 
were fired in succession, and the captain had ta- 
ken his aim. when one of the enemy cried out, 
" ril give up to you ;" and the barge v\^as instantly 
surrendered to captain Allen. ,()f seven men 
who were in the barge, two were killed and two 
wounded. 

After the capture of the barge, the Britisli 
commodore sent a flag of truce to captain Allen, 
with propositions, which were rejected. After, how- 
ever, the exchange of four flaijs, it was agreed, 
that in consideration of captain Allen's giving up 
the British prisoners on parole, the commander 
of the Bream was to give captain Allen 90 dollars 



225 lirSTORY OF THE WAR 

in cash, return two Air.erican prisoners beIongin<r 
tQ Goidsliorough, give xip a Chebacco boat, witii 
the pro|;5orty on lyoari] of her, valued at 700 dol- 
lars, and captain Allen to retain the 12 oared 
barg'e, with all her ariiia nient, consisting of one 
swivel, six mii^kets, five cutlasses, six cartridge- . 
boxes, some bUie ligiits, a comjxiss, one trumpet, 
and a qiumtity of canrnster and graiJC shot, all of 
which captain Allen valuers .at 300 dollars- 
Soon after this transaction, a boat captured 
by the Bream schooner, was sent into Ivlount- 
l}esert, with seven Enolishmen on board, to cut 
out A vessel,, the crew of whicli, on their approach^ 
fled to the shore, hnd were jciiied by several of 
the inhabitants, armed. Having concealed them- 
selves among the rocks or bushes, they opened a 
fire on the enemy, killed three of them, wounded 
two, and compelled the others to surrender. 

The enemy entered the harbour of Scituate, 
(Mcis.) in Jui3e, in consequence, as he stated, of hav- 
ing been fired at from a signal -piece cf cannon, near 
the light-house, vand set fire to several vessels. 

l\vo barges, from the Briiish frigate Nymphe, 
went into Squ-un, and destroyed the scliooner 
Diligence, laden with lime. The crews threat- 
ened that if the captain attempted to extinguish 
the flames of the Diligence, they would destroy 
the house oh the point; which being attemj^ted, 
they fired a twelve pound shot thi'ough it, and re- 
turned and effected the destruction of the schoon- 
er. 

On the 1 1th July, E^^stport was taken possession 
of by the enemy, in the name of liKs Britajinic 
majesty, as- afterwards ap})eared, was claimed as 
being part of tiie British territory, by, the terms 
of the treaty of 1783, The British fbrc^ consist- 
ed of 2000 men. The American garrison of 59 
men, including 1 1 sick, was conimauded by ma- 
jor Futne^in. 'Fhe. iaha,bit^«ts wtjret offei'ed the 



IIISTiORY OF THE WAR. 22t 



tlltcvnative to take an oath of allegitirjCc to the 
kin<(, or to clepart within seven days. A great pro- 
portion, perhaps more than two thirds, took the 
oiit]i. This place reniaiiied in the enemy's pos- 
session till the end of the v/ar ; and^ as will ap- 
pear bv reference to the treaty of peace, was to 
continue in possession of the British tintil the dis- 
pute relative to territory could be settled by com- 
missioners to be appointed for tiiat purpose. 

Ea.st[)ort is on an island called Moose, oti the 
w^est side of Passamaqnody-bay ; the island is 
about five miles lon;^, and one mile bro;ul, con- 
taining about iOOO iniiabitants. 

On' the 9i;h Au^ru.t, at 5 P. M. the Ramilies 
Y^, Pactolus 38, a bomb-ship, and a heavy brig, 
pa-rived oii' JStonington; and a fla<^ was sent on 
shore, with a note, of v>'hich tiie lollowing is a 
copy : 

" TO THE MAGISTRATES OF STONINGTON. 

*' Gentleiiien — One hour is aHowed yon, from the 
receipt of tliis cominunication, for the removal of the 
unoffcitdini: inhabitants. 

TliOIiAS M. HARDY." 

Stonington v^as in no state of defence adequate 
to resist the enemy. The few men in the place 
hastened to collect ammunition, some ran to the 
batter'y, which coiisisted of tv/o 18 pounders and 
a four pounder, v/iih a slight breast-v/crk ; ex- 
presses were sent to Nev*-Londoii and other pla- 
ces. At eight o^clcck, the attack was com-mtnc- 
ed, by a discharge of shells, from the bomb- ship, 
[and Congreve rockets ircm several barges. 'Vh'r, 
fire was continued until midnight, without injur- 
ing a single building or inhabitant. 
' During the night the volunteers and militia 
had assembled in considerable numbers, and were 
disposed of in the manner best calculated to re- 



223 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

sist finy attempt of the enemy to land. At dawn 
of day, the enemy began to throw rockets from 
vessels wliich had taken stations on the east side 
of the town, out of range of the battery. An 18 
and a 4 pounder were drawn to a point of land 
from which the enemy could be reached, and, in 
a few minutes, the barges were compelled to 
move off. During this time, the brig worked up, 
and came to anchor within less than half a mile 
of the batterv. The anmiunition on shore beinjj 
expended, the few men who were at the battery 
were compelled to retire, having first spiked the 
guns. 

For an hour and a half the enemy continued 
to fire on the town, without the least opposition 
being attempted or practicable. A fresh supply 
of ammunition being by this time obtained, the 
vent of the 18 pounder was drilled, v/hen a fire 
was opened on the enemy's brig, until at three 
o'clock she slipped her cable, and hauled off, 
being evidently much injured in her hull and 
spars. 

Soon after tliis time a considerable body of 
militia arrived, and general Isham had taken the 
command, 

A flag was sent from the inhabitants (without 
the concurrence of general ^Isham) to the British 
officer, informing him that the " unoffending in- 
habitants" had been removed, and wishing to 
know if he meant to complete tlie destruction of 
the town. The deputation received from captain 
Hardy a written reply, that " the bombardment 
should cease, in case the inhabitants would en- 
gage that no torpedoes should be fitted out at Sto- 
nington, and that tiie family of Mr. Stewart, late 
British consul at New-London, would be sent en 
board." 

Tiiese terms could not be complied with. — 
The proposal respecting torpedoes vras coniiidei- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 229 



ed defrradino' nothiniy of the kind Iiaviii^ ever 
been attempted at Stoniiigtoii ; tae secoiKi, re- 
specting Mrs. Stewart and children, was referred 
to the proper authority. 

The enemy continued to negociate, for the 
purpose of getting Mrs. Stewart on board, un- 
til 3 o'clock on the 11th, when the bombard- 
ment ao'ain commenced, and was continued until 
night. On Friday morning the attack was com- 
menced, and continued witii great warmth, from 
nearly all the eneiny's ships and launches, un- 
til near noon, when it ceased,' and about four 
'o'elock P.M. the eneniv? findinir that a o-reat force 
v/as assembled for the protection of the town, 
finally withdrew ; and on Saturday morning 
weighed anchor, and proceeded up Fisher's 
Sound. 

During 'vixq several attacks, not a man was 
killed, and but five or six wounded. Two or three 
houses v/ere destroyed, eight or ten much damag- 
ed, and about forty partially injured. More than 
300 shells and carcasses were thrown into the vil- 
lage. 

riie additional disposable military and naval 
force which the peace in Europe left at the 
command of the enemy, the use which he threat- 
ened to make, and CvA actually commence, or 
prepare to make of it, ]>r<>diicf?({ a union of ac- 
tion and sentiment among the people of Ameri* 
ca, some discontented or rather traitorous per- 
sons excepted, and these so comparatively few 
that tliey excited but a sentiment of contempt, 
and owed their personal safety to tlieir utter ina- 
irility to iS.^ material injury. The citizens of 
New- York, the first commercial city in the union, 
cave an exauii)Ie of political forbearance toward 
each other, and of -attatinnent to their country, 
which had a salutary influence on every other \m\,x% 
oi the nation. 

V 



no HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

At a general meeting held in the park in that 
city, the 3 0th August, 1814, the following, to- 
gether with several ether patriotic resolutions, 
were unaninieiisiy adopted : 

" Resolved, that the citizens here assembled will, 
to the last extremity, defeiid their city. 

" Ilesolved, that we will unite ourselves in arms 
with our brethren "of the countrjv, and, on the first 
approach of the enemy, make ij a common cause. 

" Resolved, that it be recoiuraended to the citizens 
general! v, to meet as soon as may be practicable 
with convenience, in their respective wards, for the 
purpose of electing discreet and sufficient commit- 
tees to promote the execution of the foliowing ob- 
jects . 

'< 1. To complete the voluntary enrolment of per- 
sons exem.pted by law from miiitiuy service. 

" 2. To encourage the enrolment of sea-faring ci- 
tizens, for service in the harbour, or as artillerists. 

" S. The enrolment of cilizeiis for voluntary la- 
bour on the public works 

*' Resolved, that we will endeavour to promote 
concord and harmony, and will discountenance all 
attempts to weaken the patriotic elibrts of gooa citi- 



zens." 



From tliis moment^ party feuds were, in a 
great measure, suspended; newspaptT editors ex- 
cluded all acriiiK)Dioii5v political discussions ; the 
commiLtee apj)ointed to carry ^ into effect the re- 
solutions of the general ineetiug, was selected from 
the most respectable of the citizens, without the 
least rej^j^ect to the political party, to which the 
persons selected belonged. 

The plan of the enemy was to dismember the 
union. A ccmmand of the North River would 
teud mxwh to tliis 'end, Tlie possession of the 
city of New -York was a desirable object, in what- 
ever poirit it mi^ht be viewed. The measures 
of defcuce and precaution taken at New-York, 



HISTORY OF TME WAR 2.n 

probably prevented tlie intended attack on that 
city ; the subsequent-attempt to gain possession 
of the posts near lake Champlain, leaves little 
room to doubt the enemy's intention. Had 
that invasion succeeded, we should have soon' 
heard of an invasion on the sea-boarcl, either at 
Kew-York, or some |)iace to the "eastward of it, 
and an attempt tq form a junction of the tv/o in- 
vading armies. 

For several months, the, citizens of New-York 
supplied more tlian 1000 men daily, who laboured 
voluntarily and without pay, at the fortiiicatic.^is ; 
and several thousands from the adjacent counties, 
and from the state of New -Jersey, contributed 
their aid, until a line of fortifications were raised 
on the hei'^hts of Brooklvn and Keerleui, sufii- 
cieat to oppose any probable force that could 
ba employed by the enemy. It would be impos- 
sible to do justice to the zeal that animated the 
citizens, and it cannot be expected to copy, or 
even notice, the many eilitorial observations 
which appeared in the public prints ; zeal over- 
flowed, so that it became necessary to limit the 
offered services to a certain number daily, and 
it often happened, that servic:es could not be re- 
ceived until several davs after beiuir tendered. 
The follow! no-, from the Richmond Compiler, 
is given, because its shortness does not actually 
render its insertion incompatible with our li- 
mits. 

*■ To a patriotic mind it is truly- exhilarating to 
read the New York papers, and see the generous, ar- 
dent zeal that actuates the inhabitaats of that ^great 
einporiu r! of Aaierican conunerce. At the first 
signal of breakiiiggroand for the defence of the 
city, the whole population seem to have caught 
the spark of patriotic ener^^y, to have burs!: the sbiK:- 
kie^ of apathy, and set to the continent an exauiple 



€32 HISTORY OF THE WAT?. 

of social and public spirit, which we trust may be 
emulated through every part of our land. By wards 
and s»eclioiiS of the city, by tribes and centuries, by 
constituted bodies and private companies, by trades, 
by professions, and by domestic parties, offers of per- 
£onal service, and contributions in money, have been 
made and accepted; and that great mart of com- 
mercial wealth and enterprize, on which the enemy 
have so long kept a longing eye, is already inaccessi- 
blcf invulnerable ; the pride, and glory, and palladi- 
um of the continent. Who would not be a citizen 
of Nev/-York 'f 

On the 1st September, the British entered the 
Penobscot river, with about 40 sail of vessels, 
and several thousand men, and took possession 
of Castine, the small garrison of which fled, 
after blowing up the fort. They next sent 600 
men to Belfast, which submitted. The foUov, ing 
day they proceeded up the river to Hamden, 
where the Adams frigate lay. Captain Morris 
Diade every possible disposition to resist the ene- 
my, but finding his limited force inadequate to 
that end, he spikeel his guns, burned his stores, 
blew up the ship, and, with his crew, escaped. 
The British governor immediately announced 
that the country bctv>-ecn the Penobscot river and 
Passamaquoddy bay, v.ould be considered as a part 
of the British territory. Measures were also 
taken to fortity Castin(>, and establish permanent 
commercial regvdatious. It was estimated that 
120 vessels were taken in the Penobscot. 

While the enemy was coupling petty conquest 
with cowardice and cruelty, aloijg the sea board, 
the American army of the interior was plucking 
from the brows of imported invincibles the lau- 
rels won on the theatre of late European con- 
flicts. 

The brave general Jacob Brown, who had in 
the last year signalized himself by the defence of 



inSTv^RY OF TOE WAR. 233 

Sackott*s Harbour, was appointed to the com- 
mand of ths army on the Niagara frontier. 

On thQ 2d July, General Brown mule disoosi- 
tions for an inteniled attack on the Britis'i Fort 
Erie, and issued orders to the troops for crossing* 
the river. The army passed the Niagara river 
on the morniiivy of the 3d. The enemy was per- 
fectly un apprized of the intended attack; gener- 
al 8cott, who led the van, was on shore before 
the enemy's picket discovered the approach. The 
fort bein;^ approached on the right and left, and 
the Indians in the wt>ods, in the rear, general 
Brown summoned the garrison to surrender, 
which, after a short time allowed for consideration, 
was agreed to. At, six o'clock the garrison march- 
ed and stacked their arras. 170 regulars, i;ich.id- 
in^ seven ofHcers, were sent across the river. 
• On the' mornin^ji; of the i-tn. Jiilv, wneral Scott, 
with his brig^iide, and a corps of artillery, advanc- 
ed towards Chippav/a. After some skirmish- 
iiig wnth the eneo\V, he selected a judicious po- 
sition for the night, iiis right testing on the river, 
and a ravine in front. At 1 1 ^t nigfit, g^iieral 
Brown ioined him witii th. . -^rve under general 
Ripley, "and a coi-j s of anil lery, 'under major 
Hindman. A field and battering train were also 
brouglit up. G'enei'al Porter arrived . in the nior- 
iiing, with a part of the New-York and Pensyt- 
vanla volunteers, and some of the%apriors of tiie 
six nations. 

Early^ in the morning of the 5th, the enemy 
attacked the picqCiets ; by noon he showed him- 
self on the left of the^army, and attacked oae 
of the picquets, as it was retiirning^ to camp.-— 
Captain Treat, who commaiidid the picquet, re- 
tired, leaving a wounde<i man on the grouad. 
Captain Biddle, of the ariillery, promptly as- 
suined the command of this picquet, led it back 

V-2 



234 HISTORY OF THE WAU. 

to the wounded man, and brought him off the 
field. 

General Erovrn instantly ordered captain Treat 
to -retire from the armv : and advised that his 
name, and tliat of another officer, should be 
struck from the roll of the army. This circum- 
stance was noticed in a note to the first edition of 
this work, without the following necessary ad- 
dition, which did not, and could not have, then 
come to the knowledge of the com})iler. 

Captain Treat demanded a court of inquiry ; 
it was not granted ; but a court martial was or- 
dered at Fort Erie. The left division of the ar- 
my marched to Sackett's harbour soon after, and 
the court was dissolved. 

Captain Treat immediately proceeded to Sac- 
kett's harbour, by permission from major-general 
Izard, and requested another court martial. Ma- 
jor-general Brown, on the 5th April, 1815, af- 
ter the repeated solicitations of captain Treat, 
issued an order, oroanizino- a court, consistino; of 
coL M'Feely, president; lieut. col. Smith, maj. 
Croker, major Boyle, maj. Mullany, maj. Chane, 
capt. M'^hite, members ; capt. Seymour, supernu- 
merary; heut. Anderson, 13th regiment, judge 
advocate. 

The court met, and proceeded on the trial, the 
6th April, 1815, at Sackett's harbour. They 
closed the investigation on the- -8th May, when 
captain Treat was honourably accjuitted. 

The following is a copy of the decision of the 
court : 

" After mature deliberation on the testimony 
adduced, the court do find the accused Joseph 
Treai^, of the 21st infantry, not guilty of the 
charge or specifications preferred against liim, 
and do honourably acquit him." 

The sentence of the court was approved by ma* 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 235 

jor general Brown, and promulgated on the 28th 
June, at Sackett's harbour. 

At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, general Porter 
advanced with the volunteers and Indians, in or- 
der to induce the enemy to com.e forth. — General 
Porter's command met the light parties of tlie 
enemy in the woods l he enemy was driven, and 
Porter ( pursued until n ar Cliippawa, where he 
met their whole column in order of battle. The 
heavy firino; induced a belief tiiat the entire force 
of the enemy was in inotion, and prepared for ac- 
tion. General >Scott was ordered to advance with 
his brigade, and Towson's artillery. Tlie gene- 
ral advanced in the most prompt and officer -like 
manner, anil in a lew minutes was in close action 
with a superior force (rf the enemy. By this time 
General Porter s connnand had given way, and 
fled in disorder, uotwiitislanding the great exer- 
tions of the general to rally tiicm. Tiiis retreat 
left the left flank of general Scott's brigadSe great- 
ly exposed. Captani Harris was directed," with 
his dragoons, to stop the fugitives behind the 
ravine, fronting the American camp. General 
Ripley, Vvith tlie 21 st regiment, wliich formed 
part of tlie reserve, passed to the leit of the 
camp, under cover of the wood, to relieve Ge- 
neral Scv.tt, by failing on tlie enemy's right flank; 
but, before the 21ist could come into its position, 
the line commanded by general Scott closed 
with the enemy. Major Jessup, commaiiding the 
left flank baltaUon, linding iiimself pressed, in 
front and liank, and his men fiilhng taat around 
him, ordered liis battalion to support arms, and 
advance. The order was promptly obeyed, a- 
midst the most deadly and destructive fire. 
Having gained a better position, he poured on 
the enemy a *fire so gallmg, as caused him to 
retire, 'ihe enemy's entire line now fell back, 
and continued to retreat, until at the sloping 



251 HISTORY OF TflE WAIT. 

grouncV, desceiidiiin- towards ChLppawa, when they- 
broke, and tied to their worlds. 

Gencrcil Bro\v43 finding the pursuit of the 
troops checked by the batteries of the enemy, or- 
dered up his ordnance, in order to force the 
place by a direct attack, but was induced, by the 
report of mgjor Wood and captain Austin, who 
reconnoitred the enemy's works, the lateness of 
the hour, and the advice of his officers^ to or- 
der the forces to retire to camp. The Arnori- 
can troops, on no occasion, beh.aved with more 
galUntiy than on the presen:, 'i'he Britislb re- 
iriilars suffered defeat from a number of men, 
principally volunteers and militia, inferior in e- 
very thing but courage to th« vanquished ene- 
my ; and the- gaihait Brown, a w^oodsman, " ti 
soldier of yesterday," put at deliance the mili- 
tary tactics of the experiended nnjor -general 
Riail. 

The fallowing is a copy of a letter written by 
general Brown on the field of battle, directed to 
the secretary of war. 

f 

<( ^ir^ — EmcuSo' mv sileDCO. ^I have been much 
enpa^ed. F^rt Erie did not, as I assured you it 
should not, detain me a single day. Atvel^en o'clock, 
on the night of the 4 th, i arrivl-d at this place, with 
the reserve, general Scott having taken the position 
about noon, \vith the v.m. My arrangeni-nts for 
turning and taking in the rear the enemy's position 
east of Ciiippa-ra, v.as made, when major-general 
lliall, suspecting our intention, and adhering to the 
rule, 'that it is better, to give than to receive an at« 
tack, camOvfrom beljir^d his vyoriis aboiit iive o'clock 
in the afternoon of the 5th, in prefer of battle We 
did not biuilk him. before six o'clock his line was 
brokijn, and his forces defeated, leaving; on the Meld 
four hundred killed and Wounded. He was closely 
pressed, and would have been utterly ruined, but for 
the proximity of his works, whither he iied for shel- 



HISTORY OF TME WAR. 237 

ter. The wounded of the enemy, and those of our 
own army, must be attead^d to. Tht:y will be re- 
moved to Buffalo. This, with my limited means for 
transportation, will take a ''day or two, after which I 
shall advance, not doubting'' but that the gallant 
and accomplished troops I lead, will break down all 
opposition between me and Lake Ontario, when, if 
m.et by the fleet, all is well — if not, under the fo- 
vour of Heaven, we shall behave in a way to avoid 
disgrace," 

The battle of Bridgwiiter, fouoht on the 25th 
Jaly, was bloody, and well contested on both 
Bides. The enemy was composed of 5000 nieii, 
of the best troops, commanded by general Riall, 
and others, the best British officers. It is due to 
them to record that they fought well, but they 
fought airainst freemen, and were defeated. Op- 
posed to the bravest slaves in the world, oi e- ' 
qual force, this British army would have conquer- 
ed. The Americans were fewer in number than 
the enemy ; they were men, most of whom had 
yet to learn military tactics, but who bad a coun- 
try, now staked in a contest which the present 
battle might materially affect, or, in its conse- 
quence, decide. 

On the 25th general Brown's army was encamp- 
ed above Cliippawa, near the battle-ground of 
the 5th. The brigade under general Scott mov- 
ed past Chippawa, and halted at Bridgv/ater, 
in view of Niagara falls. At half past four, p.m. 
the battle w^as commmenced by the enemy. 1 he 
enemy, being numerically superior to the Ame- 
ricans, he was able to extend his line so as to 
attempt to flank. In order to counteract the 
apparent view of general Riall, he was fought in 
detachments — he v/as charged in column, general 
Scott beiug at the head of his troops in almost 
every charge. General Scott maintained his 
ground for more than an hour;, before the re- 



258 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

serve, under g^eneral Ripley, and the volunteers? 
under general Porter, were brouijht fuilv into 
action. Tlie ground i, obstinately contested 
until nine o'clock in tne eveninas wiieu general 
}3i'own decided to storrh a battery, which the eiie- 
ii\y had on a comynanding eminence. Colonel 
Miller commanded" on this enterjjrize, which was 
so resolutely entered on, tl^.at tlie enemy, unable 
to withstand the cliarp-e, rctii^'ed to the bottom of 
the hill, and abandoned his cannon. The. ene- 
my now gave way, and was pursued some dis- 
tance. The American armv then betook itself to 
the securin'j; of prisoners, and brino'ino- oif the 
wounded. 

While the armv Vv\as thus em?3lovcd. s^eneral 
Drumniond arri-ved with a reinforcement to the 
enemy, when he, unexpectedly to the Ameri- 
cans, renewed the bt\ttle, with a view to recov- 
er his cannon. The army, having quickly 
formed, re&isted the attack with courage; and, 
after a close engagement, the enemy was re- 
pulsed, as he was in tvvo other similar attempts. 
The American army having effected the remo- 
val of nearly all the v/ounded, retired from the 
ground a lictle before midnight, and returned to 
camp, ' 

The warmth and zeal with which this action 
was tuaintained, was the most obstinate and de- 
termined. For two hours, the discharge of mus- 
ketry was so constant, a^s to produce almost au 
uninterrupted blaze of fire; nor was it in any 
period of the action much less warm. Wel- 
lington's " invincibles" had just arrived from 
Europe, and Drnmmond resolved that they should 
not only maintain their character, but maintain 
it in a manner that would make th.e most des- 
ponding impression on the brave, but rav/ re- 
cruits of the republic. I'he Americans not only 
witlistood the oaset, but repelled and puni^ihed 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 239 

it. A fine moon-ligbt niglit favoured equally 
the operations of both armies; they foui.>ht too 
near to render cannon generally servicea&le, be- 
ing often within half j:5istol shot of each other, 
and sometimes mingled together. — The charge of 
colonel Miller exceeded any thing experienced by 
the Britisli soldieis, even in Europe. Thrice 
his men were reijulsed with great slaughter. For 
a time he was deserted by a regiment of infant- 
ry ; they were rallied ; a fourth charge was 
niad^e, and succeeded. The Americans could 
not be driven, nor withstood ; determined not to 
be overthrown, even by superior numbers, they 
seemed resolved to crush whatever foe opposed 
them. Had tliey been conquered, they would 
yet deserve honour: as victors they covered them- 
selves with glory.— They lost a howitzer; the rid- 
er being shot off, the horses carried it full gal- 
lop into the ranks of the enemy; they also lost 
a piece of cannon, vv'hich was too much advanc- 
ed, and from which the men, except two, were 
shot. For want of horses they were cnmpeiied 
to leave to the enemy most of the cannon which 
were taken from him with sucli bravery, and at 
such expense. 

On the mornii}g after the battle, the Ameri- 
cans, under generals R'^pley and Porter, recon- 
noitred the enemy, who did not show any dis- 
position to renew tlie contest, and then burned 
the enemy's barracks and bridge at Chippawa, 
alter which they returned to Fort Erie. 

The enemy was beheved to have lost betv/een 
1200 and ISOO mer?, • including, major-general 
Iliail, v*'ho vv^as wounded, and wiih 18 other o:6i- 
cers, and 150 non-commissioned officers and ori- 
vates, taken prisonsrs. The Americans Ics't 1 
major, I adjutant, 5 captains, 4 subalterns, 10 
sergeants, 10 .corporals, 140 privates — total kili- 
edj 171.-1 major -general, 1 brlgadier-geueral. 



2W niSTORY OF THE WAR. 

2 ?Jds-de-cam}^, 1 brigfide-major, 1 colonel, 1 
lieutenant-colonel, 4 majors, 1 adjutant, 3 quar- 
ter-masters, 1 pay-master, 7 captains, 32 sub- 
alterns, 517 non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates. ..total wounded, 572; missing, 117 — to- 
tal, 850. 

The British force engaged amounted, by their 
own confession, to 4500 men, mostly or wholly 
regulars, beside a ho>,t of Indians; the American 
force did hot exceed 2800 men, consisting in a 
great proportion of the militia of Pennsylvania 
and New- York. General Brown, in his official 
report, particularly notices the brave and prudent 
conduct of generals Ripley, Porter and Scotl ; 
colonels Milter, Dobbin, of Nevv-York, Wilcox, 
and Gardener; majors M'Farland, Hindman, 
Jessup, Wood, of the Pennsylvania militia, Jones, 
M'^Iiee, and Wood, of the engineers; captains 
Towson, Ketchum, Biddle, and Ritchie; lieuten- 
ant E. B. Randolph ; aids-de-cam.p W^orth, Smitli, 
Austin, and Spencer. Some of these brave n]en 
fell in action, and nearly all of them were cover- 
ed with wounds. 

General Brown received two wounds, but contin- 
ued to command until the action ended. The 
general was obliged, by the severity of his wounds, 
to retire from the command, which devolved on 
General Ripley, General Scott being also dis- 
abled, by a wound, from continuing in com- 
mand. 

Tlie army continued on the Canada side, seem- 
ingly resolved to maintain itself against an enemy 
which was receiving frequent reinforcements, ard 
had, after a little time,, become formidable in 
numbers and equipments. 

The enemy, after recovering the effi^cts of the 
battle of Bridgwater, moved up tovvard the 
American army^ at Fort Erie; and frequent skii- 
mishes ensued, in which the enemy was gener^ai- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 24! ' 

ly worsted. On the 3d August, about 500 
regulars, under colonel Tucker, crossed below 
Black Rock, but were met by 200 riflemen, 
and a party of voiuiiteers, under major Morgan, 
and after a long contest, were defeated, and com- 
pelled to rc-cross the river. Brigadier -general 
Gaines arrived . at Erie the 4<th August, and as- 
sumed tile command, during general Brov/n's 
illness. 

On the 15th August, the enemy, under the 
immediate command of general Drummond, at- 
tempted to ^torm Fort Erie ; the result was 
communicated in a letter from general Giiines to 
the secretary of war, of which the following is 
a copy. 

" Head- Quarters, Vovt Erie, U.C. 
Aug. 15, 7 A.M. 1814. 
*' Dear Sir, — My heart is gladdened with grati- 
tude to Heaven, and joy to my country, to have it in 
mv power to inform you, that the gallant army un- 
der my' command has this morning beaten the enemy, 
commanded by lieutenant-gentM-al Drummond, after a 
severe conflict of three hours, commencing at two 
o'clock, A.M. They attacked us on eacli fxank — got 
possession of the salient bastion of the old Fort Erie, 
which wa?? regained at the point of the- bayonet, v/hh 
a dreadful siaugiiter. The enemy's loss, in killed 
and prisoners, is about 600 ; near 300 killed. Our 
iosa is considerable, but I think not one-tenth as great 
as that of the enemy. I will not detain the express 
to give you the particulars, 1 am preparing my force 
to follov/ up tiie biovv'." 



Tiu^ assault was of that desperate nature that 
vv-as oilculated to rub away the stains of forujer 
defeats, to resuscitate the sinking charms oi' an 
assumed inviHcIbility, and sa-ve the Bririsli gene- 
ral from contein})t, and perhaps disgrace. The 
projectioji was grand: the meaa& of accompli^lw 

W 



2^2 HISTORY OF TflE WAR. 

ing it great, and relied on for its efficiency; the 
attempt to execute was supported witli an en- 
thusiasm in the officers, and a mechanical obedi- 
ence in tlie men, which promised, ^nd a hnost se- 
cured success. The invlncibles, were, however, 
destined to experience another defeat; and the 
Americans added another wreath to the kmrels 
with which they were ah'eady -so plentifully bless- 
ed. The enemy was largely sup'plied with the 
means generally used on such occasions, pikes,' 
bayonets, spears, scaling-ladders, &c. Repulsed 
and repulsed, he rallied and returned to the at- 
tack; he carried a bastion, and by his conduct 
evinced what was to be the fate of the republi- 
cans, if vanquished. Lieutenant M'Dougal being 
severely wounded in defending the bastion, dc- 
matided quarter; it was refused, general Drum- 
mond crying out, ** give the damned Yankees 
no quarter." M'Dougal defended himself un- 
til shot down by a pistol. The bastion was 
re-taken by the greatest display of courage and 
exertion. 

Tiiis assault M-as preceded by a cannonade and 
bombardment, which commenced at sun-rise on 
the morning of tlie 13th, and continued until 8 
o'clock P.M.^ v/as re-commenccd on the 14th, at 
day-light, and coritinued until night — the assault 
was commenced at half past two on the morning 
of the 15th. The result was tlie defent of thaas- 
sailaiits, accompanied with a loss of 222 men kill- 
ed, 1 74 wounded, and 1 86 prisoners — total 582, 
exclusive of a number (supposed 200) killed in 
the v/atcr, and carried off by the current. The 
Americans lost 26 kiiied, 91 wounded, and 11 
missing — total 128. ^^ 

The enemy continued in the neighbourhood of 
Fort Erie, strengthening and extending his 
works and calling in reinforcements, with a view 
to the ultimate occupation of the fort, and the 



HISTORY OF TPIE WAR. 2 13 

capture or destruction of the garrison. The en- 
emy's works were constructed in a field surround- 
ed by woods. Their infantry was formed into 
three brigades of about 1500 men each. One of 
these brigades, with a detail from their artillery, 
was statio^^OiU at their works (these being but ^00 
yards distant from Old Fort Erie, and the right 
of general Brown's Une.) The Americans had 
already suffered much from two of tlie enemy's 
batteries; and a third was about to be opened. 
General Brown, having recovered of his wounds, 
resumed the command on the 2d September. 
The situation of the army was extremely critical. 
As the only mode of relieving himself, he deter- 
mined to storm the batteries^ destroy tlie cannons, 
and roughly handle the enemy's brigade on duty, 
before those in reserve would be brought iiito- 
action. 

The enemy's w^orks v/ere very strong, regular, 
and executed with a studied intricacy, consisting 
of -a breast-work connecting their batteries, and 
of successive lines of entrenchments in the rear, , 
covering the batteries and enfilading each other ; 
and the whole obstructed by abbatis, brush, and 
felled timber. It w-as calculated to resist, and 
throw into confusion, the most experienced as- 
. sailant^, and led to many severe contests with the 
bayonet. 

directions w^ere given by general Brown to 
march at noon, on the 17tii September, to the 
intended assault. General Porter commanded a 
detachment of volunteers, riflemen, regular in- 
fantry, and a few dragoons. These moved from 
the extreme left of the American position upon 
the enemy's right, by a passage opened through 
the woods for the occasion. General Miller sta- 
tioned his command in the ravine between Foi't 
Erie and the enemy's batteries, by passing them by 
detachments through the skirts of the wood^^^ — 



244. HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

The 21st infantrv, under lyenerul RIi^W, was 
posteii, as a corps ot reserve, bttwecii the new 
bastions of fort Erie. " About 20 miinites past 
3, P. M." says general Brown, in his official re-' 
port, " I found the left column, under ihe com- 
mand of general Porter, whith were tkctined to 
turn the enemy's right, within a few rods of the 
British iiitrenchments. They were (ordered to 
advance and commence the action. Passing 
dov/n the ravine, I judged, from the report of 
the musketry, that the action had commenced on 
our left ; I now hastened to general Miller, and 
directed him to seize the mom.ent, and pierce the 
enemy's intrenchrnents, between batteries No. 2 
and 3. — My aiders were promptly and ably ex- 
ecuted. Within 30 minutes after th.e first gun 
was fired, batteries No. 2 and 3, the enemy's line 
of intrcnchments, and his two block-houses, were 
in oivr possession. Soon afier, battery No. 1 was 
abimdoned by the British. The guns in each 
were spiked by us, or oti:erwisc destroyed, and the 
nmoazine of No. 3 was blown u))." 

The enemy's loss exceeded, from the most pro- 
bable occouiu, 10(30 men, including 2 majors, 4 
captkiiis, 4 lieutenanty, 1 ensign, 1- assistant sur- 
geon, 4 staff sergeants, 19 sergeants, 17 cor- 
porals, 1 (Irunnner, and 332 privates. The ^A- 
mericaii loss in killed, wounded and, missing, 
511. Generid Davis, of the militia, v.as killed. 
The action lasted more than two^ hours, and 
was warmly contested for about one hour. In 
the course of the battle, the entire of the ene- 
my's force v.a^ brought into action, consisting 
principally of regulars, under command of lieut. 
gen. Druramond. 8o satisfied was the British 
general of bis inability to contend, even aid- 
ed by his veterans, against the raw soldiers that 
formed the American army, that he broke up 
his camp during the night of the 21stj and re- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 245 

tired to his intrenchiiients behind the ChlppaAva. 
" Thus," says general Brown, «' one tljou^and 
regulars, and an equal portion of militia, in 
one hour of close action, blasted the hopes of 
the enemy, destroyed tli.e fruits of 50 days' labour, 
and diminished his effective force, one thousand 
men at least." 

An expedition, under the comm.and of lieut. 
col. G. Croghan, was set on foot in July, 18 14; 
the chief object of which was the reduction of 
fort Mackinac, which liad been taken by the 
enemy in the early part of the war. 1 he eX|:>edi- 
tion left fort Gatriot, (head of straits St. Clair) 
on the 12th. Owing to a want of pilots acquaint- 
ed witli the unfrequented part of the bay, the 
intended course of the vessels was somewhat al- 
tereCi ; they anchored at St. Joseph's on the 20th. 
After setting; fire to the fort of St. Joseph, which 
seemed not to have been receutlv occupied, a 
detachment of infantry and artillery, under ma- 
jor Holmes, was ordered to Sault, St. Mary's, for 
the purpose of breaking up the enemy's estabiisii- 
ment at that place. A few hours before the ar- 
rival of major Holmes at the Sault, St. Mary's, 
the north-west agent was apprized of his ap- 
proaci), and succeeded in escaping with a large 
quantity of goods. A large quantity were, how- 
ever, found secreted in the woods, on the Ameri- , 
can side. — These were claimed bv the ao'cnt of 
John Johnson, an Indian- trader ; but major 
Holmes declined giving them to Mr. Johnson, 
*' because" as major tlolmes observed in his let- 
ter to lieut. col. Croghan, " it was good prize by 
the maritime law of nations, as recognized in the 
En<dish courts, (witness the case of admiral Rod- 
ney, adjudged -by lord Mansfield.) rurther,-oe- 
cause Johnson has acted the infamous part of >a 
traitor, having been a citizen and a maoistrate of 
the Michigan territorv, before the war, and at 

W 2 



216 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

its com men cement, and now dischargin^T the func* 
tions of magistrate under the British govern- 
ment. Because Ids agents armed the Indians 
from his store-house at our approach ; and last- 
3}'; because those goods, or a considerable part, 
were designed to be taken to Michilimackinac." 

The expedition reached ^licliilimackinac on 
the 26th, where the enemy was found so strong- 
ly posted on a height overlooking the old fort, 
that his reduction by storm, with ' the snj ail force 
under col. Croghan, seemed ver}^ doubtful. It 
was the colonels wish, at all hazards, to disem- 
bark in some favourable position, from which he 
might be able to annoy the enemy by gradual 
and slow approaches, under cover of his artillery, 
and where, by fortifying himself, he miglit force 
the enemy to attack him in his strong posi- 
tion; or draw his Indians and Canadians (his 
most efficient and only disposable force) from 
the island. 

Ecing informed by old residents of the island, 
wlicre a favourable position might be obtained, 
lie effected a landino- on the 4th August, and ad- 
vanccd to the field where an encampment v,as 
intended, v/hen he received intelligence that the 
enemy was ahead, of which he was soon con- 
vinced by a dischar<re of shot and shells^ from a 
battery of 4 guns. The colonel hereon chang- 
ed his position, (v,hich was then two lines, the 
mihtia forminp; the front,) by advancing mnjor 
Holmes' battalion on the right of the militia, 
thus to outflank him, and, by ^ vigorous effort, 
to gain his rear. Btfcre this movement could 
be executed, a f.re from some hidians, posted in 
a thick wood, | roved fatal to major TIclmes, 
and severely wounded captain Desha, the next in 
rank. This misfortune threw that part of the 
line into confusion, from which it was found im- 
possible to recover it. As the only metliod left 



HISTORY OF THE WAH. 2i^ 

of annoying the enemy, colonel Croglian ordered 
a charge to be made on his front by the regu- 
lars. The enemy was thus driven back into the 
woods, from which an annoying fire was kept up 
by the Indians. Lieut. ISlorgan brought up a 
light piece to relieve the left, which was suffer- 
ing fiom a galling fire ; the excellent practice of 
this piece brought the enemy to fire at a longer 
distance. 

Colonel Croghan, finding the position from 
which the enemy was driven not tenable, he de- 
termineil not to continue to expose his men to 
a danger, from vHiich no good result could be 
exnected. lie therefore ordered a retreat to 
tlie shipping. 

Sailing-master Cham])hn, whose vessel, the 
Tigress, fell into the liands of the enemy, and 
' who, with his crev^^^ were prisoners at Michiiimac- 
kinac, arrived at Erie in November. Captain 
Arthur Sinclair, commanding the United States' 
naval force on the upper lakes, states, in a letter 
to the secretary of the navy, on the authority cf 
sailino--m-aster Champlin, that "the conduct of 
the enemy to our prisoners, (the crew of the 
Ti'^'ress) thus captured, and the inlmman butch- 
ery of those who fell into their hands, at the attack 
of Mackinack, iias beeil barbarous beyond a pa- 
ralleL The former have been plundered of al- 
most every article of clothing they possessed ; 
the flatter liad their hearts and livers taken out, 
which were actually cooked and feasted on 
by the savages, and that too in the quarters 
of the British officers, sanctioned by colonel 
M-Dougall" 

The British army, under general Drummond, 

i)eing considerably reinforced, there appeared 

an absolute necessity to strengthen that under 

general Brown, and to make such a diversion or 

co-operation, as v/ould draw off the enemy from 



243 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

the neighbourhood of -Fort Erie, or compel him 
to surrender. A vio^orous attack on Kinoston 
must, if made, produce tlie first of these efiects; 
the throwing of a Ln-ge force into the rear of 
general Drummond, might have the iatter effect. 
General Izard marched from Flattsburgh, about 
the ] st September, with a large force, which 
formed a junctioii with general Brox^n, about 
the 12lh October; thus having unfortunately 
occupied more than 40 days in performing a 
journey of 25S miles by land, and a voyage of 
90 miles by water ; — total distance from Piatts- 
burgh to Black Rock, 343 miles. 

The slow movement of general Izard's army, 
gaveto the enemy the time necessary to equip the 
new ship St. Lawrence, of 90 guns, lately built 
at Kino-ston. The British fleet, v»ith this hhr 
ship, appeared off Niagara the 2d November, 
and gave to the enen^y the command of lake 
Ontario, by wliich general Drummond could be 
reinforced, or taken off, if necessary. It also 
enabled the enemy to threaten Sackett's harbour; 
and general Brovv'n v/as orilered to tiie defejice 
of the harl;our, leaving general Izard in com- 
mand at Erie. 

The campaign in the neiglibourhood of Nia^ 
gara m.Uc^t, from the lateness of the seasori, be 
drawing to a close; it appeared to general Izard, 
that liis army could nqt remain in safety at Erie ; 
the fort was therefore de^ti•oyed, and the arn^y 
crossed to ITliffalc, where it took up winter 
Cjuarters. 

The army left at Plattsburgh, after the march 
of general Izard, was very weak; the command 
devolved on general Mact)mb. The enemy cm- 
braced this opportunity for making an incursion 
into the state of New York, on the side of lake 
ChampLiin, with a view to secure ^ strong po- 
sition at Crown point, or Ticouderoga, previous 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 249 

to going into winter quarters? and ultimately 
to co-operate" with an army that v/as to invade 
the state o% New- York, or Connecticut, on the 
sea-board; and thns effect the great object ot 
the British government, the political separa- 
tion of the eastern irom the southern states. 

General Sir George Prevost commanded the 
British land forces, destined for this service, con- 
sisting of tour brigades, each conniianded by a 
major, geneial of experience; a light squadron 
of drag(rons, and an immense train of s^rtillery, 
and all the en'gines of war; the entire amountiiig 
to 14000 men. While the troops advanced by 
land, the fleet, apparently superior to the Ameri- 
can, advanced by water. To resist -this over- 
w'helming force, general Macom.b had but 1500 
effectives. In aid of- this small forccj the mihtia 
was hastily assembled. 

The British governor peneral entered the ter- 
ritory of the United States, .on the 1st September, 
1814', and fixed his head-quarters at the village 
of Champlain; from which he conmienced an 
attack, by promises and threats, on the citizens of 
tlie United States, previous to the more serious 
attacks, vvliich were ro be simultanecius by land 
and water, and v.cre effectually to overthrow ail 
o})posiiion on both. 

On the 2d, the British army marched from 
Champlain : on the 5th, it appeared in full force 
before the village of Plattsburgh. No sooner 
was the intention of the enemy discovered, tliau 
the militia were called out. T hose of the countv 
of Clinton assembled on the 2d Septei^^ber, near 
tiie village of Chazy, where they took a posi- 
tion under 'command of lieutenant colonel Mil- 
ler. On the following day, general Wright took 
a position, with his brigade, seven miles in ad- 
vance of Phittsburoh. On the advance of the 
enemy, colonel Aplin^, who wa^ placed wiUi 



250 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

his command on the lake road, fell back to Dead 
creek, where he posted himself, and impeded the 
approach of the pursuers so much hy blocking 
up the passac;e, that the enemy was compelled to 
alter his course, toward the Beekmantown road. 
On the morniufT of the 6rh, the advance of the 
enemy attacked the militia, about 700, under 
general Mooers, and a small detachment of regu- 
lars commanded by major Wool. Unfortunately 
a part of the militia broke and fle<l ; the remain- 
der, together with the regulars, made a bold and 
masterly opposition, retiring slowly and regular- 
ly before a large io^ce for six miles, when they 
were reinforced within a mile of Piattsburgh by 
a captain Leonard and a few men, with two 
pieces of artillery. This force, by taking ad- 
vantage of the cover of a stone v/all, made a 
stand, and checked the progress of the enemy, 
until overpowered by superior numbers, it retired 
as before, slowlv, dealhio; death amono; the ene- 
my, until it reached the south bank of the Saranac, 
where the pursuit of the enemy was effectually 
checked, and he forced to retire. From this 
time until the morning that was to decide the 
fate of Piatts burgh, and perhaps of Albany, con- 
tinual skirmishing was ke})t up, each party pre- 
paring itself for the bloody conflict. The enemy 
occupied an extent of about three miles; he e- 
rected seven heavy batteries, and fully supplied 
himself with all the u^ual means of attack. The 
Americans were engaged in annoying the enemy 
and strentrtheninor their own works. The 1 1th 
was fixed on for the attack by land and water. At 
9 o'clock in the morning of that day, the enemy's 
^otilla on Lake Champlain, passed Cumberland- 
head. It consisted of 1 frigate of 32 guns, 1 
brig of 22 guns, 2 sloops of 10 guns each, and 
several galleys. The American fleet lay in Cum- 
berland-bay, opposite Piattsburgh. The Qiicmyg 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 251 

superior in vessels, guns, arid number of men, 
advanced, with that confidence which his supe- 
riority of force inspired ; and the bloody con- 
flict began. Commodore Thomas Macdonough 
commanded the American flotilla. Undaunted, 
he waited the attack, trusting in tha heroism of 
a little band, which seemed determined to con- 
quer or die. For two hours and fifteen minutes 
the contes^ was maintained with an obstinacy, ^ 
which, Av'hile it added to, or rather perfected 
the renown already ac(juired hy the American 
seamen, did not disgrace the vanquished^ Mo- 
desty seems to be a qualit}^ bigbly possessed by 
the naval commanders in the United States. — 
The following laconic letter, written to the sec- 
retary of the navy by commodore Macdonough, 
is at once a proof of modesty, and a notice of 
success. 

*' The aA-Imighty has been pleased to grant us a 
signal victory on Lake Champlain, in the capture of 
one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of war, of the 



enemv." 



Tlie American galleys were about pursuing 
those of the enem}', that were making their es- 
cape, but it being discovered that all the vessels 
w^ere in a sinking st te, it became necessary to 
annul the signal to chase, and order the men 
from tlie galleys to the pumps. " I could only,'* 
observed commodore Macdonough, '* look at the 
enemy's galleys going off in a shattered condition, 
for there was not a mast in either squadron that 
could stand to niake sail on ; the lower rigging be- 
ing nearly ail shot away, hung down as though 
it had been just placed over their ma^t-heads. — 
The Saratoga," continued the commodore, ^\ had 
iitty-five round shot in her hull; the Confiance 
(enemy's vessel) one hundred and five/' 



262 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 



The following is a comparative view of the 
number and strengtii of the vessels engaged, aiid 
the loss on board them. 



AMERICAN. 






Guns, 


Men. 


Killed.Wounc 


Sliip Saratoga 


26 


210 


23 29 


Prig Eagle 


20 


120 


13 20 


Sciiooner Ticonderoga 


17 


liO 


6 6 


Sloop Preble 


7 


30 


2 


Ten Gun-boats 


16 


350 


3 3 



Total 86 820 52 



58 



BRITISH. 



Frisrate Confiance 39 300 50 60 

Brig Linnet .16 120 20 SO 

Chub (formerly Growler) 11 40 6 10 

Finch (formerly Eagle) 11 40 8 10 

Thirteen Gun-boats 18 5 50 

Total 95 1050 84 - 110 

At the same hour that the fleets engaged, the 
pnemy openetl his batteries on the American 
forts, throwing hundreds of shells, balls and 
rockets ; and attempted, at the same time, to 
cross the Saranac river, at three dilTerent poirits, 
to assault the An)«ican work-s. At the upper 
ford he was met by the Vermont volunteers and 
New-York miiiitia. Here a most interesting 
conflict took place; on the one side-the best troops 
of Britain, led on by her most consummate- offi- 
cers, men and olRcers selected from tliose sol- 
diers, who, under command of the dak^ of Wel- 
lington, had ac(][uired tiie character of *' inyin- 
cijie;^- men who had conquered in Portugal,- 
Siain, France, and the Litlies; on the other 
siie, men not reared to arins, not used to b<it- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 1)3 

tie ; most of them born since tlielr sires had 
immortalized tlicmselves in combat on this 
same ground, the descendants of the " Green 
Mountain-boys," and oJ:' those heroes Mdio con- 
quered at Saratoga, &c. The object of contest 
was great; on it was, probably, to hang every 
future event of the war. The enemy fought for 
the recovery of a territory which woukl malie his 
king the most powerful prince in the world; the 
officers looked to places of emolument, pensions, 
grants of land, titles of nobiiit}^, stars, garters^ 
ribbands, plunder; honours and riches in a 
thousand shapes and forms: the honest Ameri- 
can yeomen sought neither })ay nor pecuniary 
reward, beyond the daily stij^end of a soldier. 
But yesterday they were at their ploughs, to-day 
they grasjied their rifles, and hurried to tlie 
threshold of their country — their ultimate rewa!d 
was to be a confirmation of the liberties entail- 
ed on them by their sires, a continuance of tiiat 
independence they were determined to preserve, 
or not to survive. The conflict was influenced 
i.)y feelings which drew forth the utmost exer- 
tions of both parties, and substituted desperai- 
tioii on one side, and unbending patriotism 
on the other, in place of that indifference or 
cowardice, which so often leatis to disaster and 
disgrace. Several times were the enemy repulsed, 
several times did he return to the ford; aston- 
ished at this obstinate resistance from woodsmen, 
suddenly assembled on the occasion, the enemy 
yet believed they must give way; again lie ad- 
vances, again he is re})ulsed; astonished, con- 
founded, dismayed, he retires: no longer invin- 
cible, he acknowledges defeat — defeat from whom ? 
I^et Welliuiiton's men answer; ox let them send 
for a reply to the mountains of Vermont, or the 
wilderness of New -York. At the bridge near 
the village he v/as repulsed by the piquets, and ihc. 



254 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

brave riPiemen, under captain Grosvenor, and 
lieutenants tlamilton and Riley : and at the 
bridpe in the town he was foiic-d bv the guards, 
block -houses, and the arti^'^ry cf the forts, serv- 
ed by captains Alexander Hi'ooks, Richards, and 
Smith, all lieutenants Munford, Smith, and 
Cromwell. The enemy's fire was returned with 
effect from the batteries; by sun-set seven of his 
newl}' raised batteries were silenced, and he was 
seen retiring to his camp. Beaten by land and 
w^ater, the British governor-general withdrew 
his artillery, and raised the siege. Under favour 
of a dark night, lie sent off' his heavy baggage, 
and retreated with his whole armiy towards Ca- 
nada, leaving his wounded in the fivld, and a 
vast quantity of provisions and'' munitions of 
war, wiiich he had not time to destroy. The 
li|!,ht troops, volunteers and militia, pursued hmi 
on the following day, capturing several soldiers, 
and covering the escape of a great number ct 
deserters : bad weather prevented the pursuit 
to be continued beyond Chazy. Thus have 
14,000 re-vulars, with the best British cilicers, 
and the best military equipment, been beaten by 
a regular force oi only 1500 men, and 2.500 
militia and volunteers; the militia ccmmanded by 
general Mooers, and the volunteers by general 
Strong. The enemy having retired from re- 
publican ground, the mihtia and volunteers were 
dismissed. 

The oincial return o^ the loss of the Ameri- 
can regukrs, amounted to 1 subaltern, 1 serjeant, 
1 musician, and S4 privates killed, — total 37 ; 2 
subalterns, 1 serjeant- major, 4- Serjeants, 2 corpo- 
rals, 4 musicians, and 49 privates, wounded — 
total 62; total killed, wGunded, and missing, 
119. 

General M'Comb states tlie less of the en- 
emy, on the land and lake, at not less than 25C0 
men. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. ^55 

Wiiile glory and victory attended the armies 
of" the United States, the navy continued increas- 
in£^ its number of victories; and private armed 
vessels carried destruction to the enemy in every 
sea. Even in the British channel the enemy felt 
that his thousand ships of war could not bring 
safety to his traders. Insurance to cross the 
channel rose from a few shillings to five guineas 
per cent. 

In lat. 27, '^1 N. Ion. 80, 9, on the 29th April, 
IS 14-, the U. S. sloop of war Peacock, fell in 
with his Britannic majesty's brig Epervier, ra- 
ting and mounting 18 32 pound carronades, with 
128 men. The Epervier struck her colours af- 
ter an action of 42 minutes, and the loss of 8 
men killed, and 15 wounded. IVo men wer6 
^slightly wounded on board the Peacock. Both 
vessels arrived at Savannah, the prize being with 
difficulty kept above water. The damage suf- 
fered bv the two vessels v/iil be seen by the fol- 
iowinp- extract from the official report of captain 
Warrini^ton. 

" This, (the disabling of a fore-yard) with a few 
top-masts, and top-gallant back stays cut away, a few- 
shot through our sails, is the only injury the Pea- 
cock has sustained. Not a round shot touched our 
hull; our masts and spars are as sound as ever. — 
When the enemy struck, he had five feet water in 
his hold, his main top-mast was over the side, his 
main boom shot away, his foremast cut nearly in 
two, and tottering, his fore rigging and stays shot a- 
way, his bowsprit badly wounded, and 4-5 shot holes 
in his hull, 20 of which were within a foot of his 
water line," 

The Epervier had 120,000 dollars in specie 
on board. 

The Uiiited States' sloop, of war Frolic, Jo- 
seph Bainbridge, commander,, was captured, af- 



23§ HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ter a chase by H. B. M. frigate Orpheus, of S6 
guns, on the 20th April. A court of inquiry, held 
on board the U. 8. frigate Constitution, at 
New- York, the 20th April, 1815, gave their o- 
pinion, " that the same was not lost, through 
the fault, inattention, or negligence, of captain 
Bainbridge. The court also reported favour- 
ably on tiie conduct of the officers and crew of 
the Frolic. 

His Britannic majesty's sloop of war Rein- 
deer, was captured the 28th June, 1814, in lat. 
48, 36 N. and Ion. 11, 15 W. by the U. S. sloop 
of war Wasp, captain J. Blakely. ^i'he action 
commenced at 26 minutes after 3 I?. M. ; at 45 
minutes past 3, the enemy was carried by board- 
ing. The action, for the short time it lasted, 
%vas severe, and both vessels and crews suffered 
consider:il)ly. The loss on board the Wasp, was 
princi]':iiy occasioned by repelling the enemy, 
in two atteiupts which he made to board. The 
Reindeer moanted 16 24-pound carrorades, 2- 
long 6 or 9 -pounders, and a shifting 12-p3und 
carronade, with a complement cf li8 picked 
men, called from their a]>pearance, '* the pride 
of Plymouth." The Reindeer was literally cut 
to }>icce.>, and^so com})lete a wreck, in both hull 
and ii<>ain£r, that it was found necessary to de- 
strov ht r. Her ccnnnandei, ("William Manners, 
osq.) and 22 petty oflicers and seamen, were 
kilied; wounded dangerously, 10; severely, 17; 
slightly, 15 — total killed and wounded, 75. 

Oi) board the Wasp tliere were five killed, and 
^1 wounded. Six round shot struck the hull of 
the Was]) ; a 24-pound shot passed through the 
fore m.ast, ar^d a considerable number of grape 
ctrack, bui did net penetrate her sides. The 
Wasp arrived at L' Orient the 8th July. 

Ihe Wasp sailed from L'Orient on the 27lh 
August. At half past 9 o'clock, P.M. the Ut 



IIISTORY^ OF THE WAR. 257 

September, engaged a vessel, supposed to be a 
large brig of war, and forced her to strike her flag, 
at I2 minutes past 10. In a few minutes, cap- 
tain Blakely discovered another brig, and pre- 
pared for action ; at S 6 minutes past 10, 2 brigs 
in sii^ht, when the Wasp was compelled to re- 
iinqmsh her prize. The Wasp lost 2 men killed, 
and had 1 man wounded. l1ie enemy, after 
his surrender, was heard asking assistance, and 
said he v/as sinkino-. The enemy's vessel proved 
afterwards to be tlie Avon. By the British de- 
tails, it was acknowledged that the two vessels 
w^iich came in aid of the Avon, were the Castili- 
an and Tartarus, each of them of force equal 
to the Wasp, llie Avon went to the bottom, af- 
ter the surviving part of her crew Vv-as removed 
on board the other British vessels. The Avon 
was in the Delaware in 1810; she then carried 
18 32 pound carronades, besides bow and stern 
guns. 

The Essex, captain Porter, the smallest frigate 
in the American navy, was destined to prove im- 
mensely iniiu'ious to the e^iemv. ' Her crpisc in 
the Pacilic ocean has supplied ample materials 
for an interesting volume. Captain Porter not 
only protected the American shipping ag^iinst the 
numerous letters of m.arque, vvhich the enemy 
had sent iiito those seas, but rendered these very 
letters of marque tributary to his plan of de- 
stroyiilg the enemy's trade, particularly in the 
iisheries. 

Capt. Porter sailed from the Delaware, the 
-27 ih October, 1812. On his passage to Rio de 
Janeiro, he captured the British packet Korton,; 
ap.d took out of her 1], 000 pounds sterling, in" 
Bpecie. He arrived ^ at Valparaiso on tiie 14th 
March, 1812, wherehebbtaiiied a full supply of 
provisions. He then ran down along the coast 
of Cijili and Peru, fell in with £ Peruvian coifeair, 

X 2 



25 S HISTORY OF THE WAR, 

which had on board 24 Americans, the crews of 
two whale ships she had captured on the coast. 
Ke threw the guns and ammunition of the cor- 
sair into the sea, hberated the Americans, and 
afterwards recaptured one of the vessels as she 
was entering the port of Lima. 

From Lima, captain Porter proceeded for the 
Gallipagos islands. While among this groupe of 
islands, he captured the following British ships, 
(letters of marque,) employed chiefly in the Sper- 
maceti whale fishery. 

Tons. Men.Guns. Pierced for 
Montezuma 270 21 2 

Policy 175 26 10 18 

Georgiana 2S0 25 6 18 

Greenwich 388 25 10 20 

Atlantic 355 '24 8 20 

Rose 220 21 8 20 

Hector 270 25 1 1 20 

Catherine 270 29 8 18 

Seringapatam 357 SI 14- 26 

Charhon 274 21 10 18 

New-Zealander 259 23 8 IS 

4SirA. Hammciid 301 31 1 2 18 



3456 302 107 

Tlie Atlantic received the new name of the 
Essex-Junior, v/as equipped with 20 guns, and 
her command c;iven to lieutenant Downs. 

Lieutenant Downs conveyed some of the priz- 
es to Valparaiso ; and Capt. Porter, on the re- 
turn of lieutenant Dovrns, proceeded with the 
other prizes to the island of Nooaheevah, wliere 
he overhauled his ship, took on board a supply: of- 
provisions, and sailed for the coast of Chili, on the 
12th December, 1813. 

Previous to sailins: from Nooaheevah, he se- 
cured his prizes inJor the guns of a battery, 
which he erected for their protection, and left 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 259 

the battery in charge of lieut. Gamble and 21 
marines, with orders to repair to Valparaiso, af* 
ter a certain period. A friendly intercourse was 
established with the natives, and the island ta- 
ken possession of, in the«name of the United 
States. He arrived on the coast of Chili, the 
12th January, 1814. 

The captain detailed his success in the follow- 
ing words : 

'' I had rompleteiy broke up the British naviga- 
tion in the Pacific ; "the vessels which had not been 
captured, were laid up, and dared not venture out. 
The valuable whale fishery there is entirely destroy- 
ed ; and the actual injury we have done them, may 
be estimated at .two and a half millions of dollars, 
independent of expenses of vessels in search of mc. 
They have furnished me amply with sails, cordage, 
cables, anchors, provisions, medicines, and stores 
of every description : and the slops on board them 
have furnished clothing for the seamen. We had, 
in fiiGt, lived on the eneiny since I had been in that 
sea, eveiy, prize having proved a well found store- 
ship for meT I had not been under the necessity 
of drawing bills on the department for any object ; 
and had been enabled to make considerable advances 
to my officers and crew on account of pay." 

After arriving at Valparaiso, he found liimselfi 
blockaded by two British ships; the Phoebe,:! 
commodore Hillyar, carrying 30 long 18 pound- 
ers, 16 32 pound carronades, 1 howitzer, and 6 
3 pounders in the tops, and a complement of 320 . 
men: and the Cherub, mounting 28 guns, and^> 
having a complement of 180 men ; mailing, to-fi 
gether, 81 guns, and 500 men. The force ofq 
the Essex was 46 guns — 40 32 pound carronades^ I 
^^^ and 6 long 123; her crew amounted to 255 men. 
The Essex-Junior mounted 20guns--:IQ:. I ^ pound ♦ 



260 FlI-SrORYOF THE WAR-: 

carronades, and 10 short 6s, with only 60 men 
on board. 

Captain Porter having sought in vain to bring 
on an action, with any one of the enehiy, had re- 
solved on putting to sea, in the hope of outsaiiinsf. 
them. .On the '28th of March, 18 i 4, during a 
fresh h\o\v of vrind, the Essex ]^arted her lar- 
board cable, and dragged the starboard anchor 
chrectly to sea. Finding Iiimself in this situation, 
he hoisted sail, and got under way. On round- 
ing a point of land, a heav3^ squall struck the 
slii}), and carried away her main topmast, precipi- 
tating the raen, who were aloft, into the sea. 
Being chased by the two enemy's ships, and 
unable to gain his former anchorage, he ran 
close into a small bay, about three quarters of a 
mile to leeward of the battery, on the east side of 
the harbour, and let go his anchor witliin pistol 
shot of tlie shore. 

It was in this situation that his crippled ship 
and reduced crew were attacked in a neutral port, 
contrary to the laws of nations, by tv;o ships of 
the enemy. The Essex was carried — but a prize 
iias never been bought at a dearer rate, llie ac- 
tion tasted nearly two hours and a half. 'i he 
Cherub, from her crippled state, Vvtis compelled 
to haul cfti but continued to fire at a distance, 
from her long guns. The Phoebe also chose, af- 
ter suffering ccnsiderrJ)]y, t;© fire from a distance' 
with her lom^ gmis, wlirle the Essex could not 
i^each him' with her carronades. There nevet* 
was a ship -more cut up than the Essex, nor that 
^ufiered more in men. Seventy men, including 
officers, v>^ere all that remained after the actioii^- 
cspable of doing duly, and m^ny of these se^* 
verelv Wounded. 

'^The' 'en ciifi'/ continued firinjj f;>r several mi- 
nates, ar<a killed and wounded many of the 
crev/ of the E&sex, after her colours v/ere struck, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 261 

and an opposite gun fired, to show that resist- 
ance had ceased. Ca})tain Porter conceiving it 
was intended to reiiise qnarter, was on the point 
of hoistiHiX his colours, and sellinj? Iiis life as dear 
as possible, wlic]! the lire of the enemy ceased. 
The Phoebe was so cut up, that sh.e was with 
great dlfficuUj worked into Valparaiso, and it 
seemed doubtful, even after she came to anchor, 
whethe)' she could be repaired so as to enable 
her to double Cape Horn. She had eighteen 
twelve pound sliot through her, below her wa- 
ter line. Nothiiig but the smoothness of the 
water saved her from sinking. Had the Phoebe 
and Cherub dared to come boldly into close 
action they v^ould undoubtedly have been de- 
feated. 

The enemy's loss in men cannot be ascer- 
tained, but must have been v^ ry severe. That 
of the Essex v* as- 
Killed and have since died of their wounds, 5S 
Severely wounded, - - - - 39 

Slightly wounded, - - - - 26 

Missing, - - -- - - 31 



Total, 154? 

It v/as agreed between captain Porter and 
commodore Hillyar, that the Essex- Junior should 
be disarmed, and employed as a cartel, to bring 
captain Porter and his men to the United 
States, to be there exchanged for an equal num- 
ber of British prisoners, of equal rank. On tlie 
5th July, the Essex-Junior arrived off New- York, 
and was overhauled by the British ship Saturn. 
Captain Porter, judging from the conduct of the 
British officer, that he would violate the terms 
under which the Essex- Junior had sailed, took 



252 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

to-his boat, and after rowing and sailing 40 miles, 
readied Long Island. 

The winter season, rendering it diiFieult and 
dangerous for an enemy's fleet to remain on the 
American coast, to the northw^ard of Virginia, 
it was conjectured that his blockading squadron 
would be moved to the southward ; nW was the 
conjecture ill founded- It was his intention to, 
effect something more permanently useful, than 
the robbing of private property. A general a- 
larm p.ievailed among the inhabitants, particu- 
larly in the cities along the sea-coast. It was also 
ascertained that great preparations were making 
and several thousand men collected in the West 
Indies, with the avowed intention of invading 
some of the southern states. 

At t O'clock, P. M. on tlie 15th of September, 
1814, Fort Bowy^r, on Mobile Point, was attack- 
ed by a superior British naval and land force. 
The naval force was under command of Sir 
H. \V. Percy, and consisted of 2 ships, from 24 
to 28 guns, mounting 32 pound carronades; two 
brigs from 16 to 18 guns, mounting 24 ])ound 
carronades, and 3 tenders. The land forces con- 
sisted of 100 marines under command of colo- 
nel Nichols, a body of Indians under command 
of captain Woodbine, and a battery of a 12 poun- 
dor and a howitzer, under direction of an officer 
of the artilierv. The American efxective force 
was about 120 men, of whom not more than 
90 were engaged. 

At 4, P. M. the enemy's leading ship, called 
the liermes, having approached sidficiently near, 
the guns of the battery oiiened on her ; at 20 
jnniutes past 4, the engagement became general. 
-Soon after this time, the British land forces were 
put to flight by discharges of grape and caunister 
from a 9 pounder. At 5, P. M. the guns of the 
Hermes were silenced and she- drifted out, and 



IIISTOIIY OF THE WAR. 263 

grounded within 600 yards of tlie battery, where 
she continued - to be tired on, until niuht. At 
sun-set, the otiier vessels cut their cables, and 
stood oif, under a tremendous fire from the bat- 
tery. At a quarter past 7, the Hermes ajipeared 
to be on fire ; at 10, her magazine blew up'. 
It was learned from deserters, that 150 of the crew 
of the Hermes were lost, that 85 were killed or 
wounded on board the other ship, and several on 
board the other vessels. The American loss was 
4" killed and 5 wounded. Major William Law^- 
renee com manded at the fort. On the 16th, 
thp enemy's fleet stood out to sea. 

The appearance of 50 or 60 vessels of the ene- 
my in the mouth of the Mississippi, rendered it 
almost certain that the city of New Orleans 
would be an object of attack. The advance of 
the e]iemy v/as announced, in general orders, on 
the 14th December, x814, by governor Claiborne ; 
and on the 18th, general Jackson reviewed the 
iniiitia, preparatory to meeting the enemy. Mar- 
tial law WT-S declared oil the i6th. The w^oods- 
men from Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi ter- 
ritory, and Kentucky, hastened to the scene of 
lionour and of glory ; and men of difierent ian- 
gur,ges and manners prepared to emulate each 
other in defence of a common country, ar.d a li- 
berty in which they alike participated. 

On the 13th iJccember, the enemy's flotilla 
gained the Pass Christian, and was })roceeding, 
evidently, aii'ainst the U. S. "un vessels, then at 
anchor off bay St. Louis^ The o-un-boats retreat- 
I'd during the night, to the Maihereaux islands, 
Lake Borgne, where the wind and tide forced 
ibeia tp n.*main. At day -light, on the i5th, the 
jfiueniy advanced with 42 heavy launches and 
g\xi barge% mounthig 42 guns, of 12, 18, and 



2(34 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

24 caliber, and 3 light gigs, with 1200 men, corn* 
manded bv captain Lockver. 

At ten minutes before 11, A. M. he commenced 
an attack on the fiotiiia, consisting of gun -boat 
No. 5, 5 gmis, 36 men, sailing master Ferris ; gun 
boat No. 23, 5 guns, 39 men, Ueutenant M*Kee= 
ver: nun boat No, 156, 5 guns, 41 men, lieuten- 
ant Jones: gun boat No. 162, 5 guns, 35 men, 
lieutenant Spedden ; and gun-boat No. 163, 3 
guns, 31 men, saiUng-mastcr Uh*ick ; — total 23 
guns, and 182 men, the whole under com- 
mand of lieutenant Thomas Ap-Catespv Jones, 
of boat 156. 

The sloop Alligator, (tender) of one 4 pounder 
and 8 men, not being able to join the flotilla, 
was captured before the action with the cun-boats 
conmienced. 

The gunboats were taken in succession, and 
each boat, when taken, added to the enemy's line 
of attack. The action continued until 40 min- 
utes past 12, when the last of the gun boats was 
surrendered. 

Considering the immense disproportion of the 
parties, the action was suttained, on the part ef 
the Americans, with a skill, braverj'. and persever- 
ence, unexampled, even in the most spirited 
oi the actions which distino-uished tlie Ameri- 
can seamen in the early part of the war. Five 
small vessels, and a fev, men, maintaining a con- 
test for an hour and a hall^ against a swai'm of 
heavy barges and gmi boats, which closed and near- 
ly surrounded themj was a sight unparalleled 
in the annals of naval heroism. The loss of the 
enemy, in killed and wounded, was estimated hy 
lieutenant Jones to exceed 300, among whoia 
were an unusual quantity of officers. 

The capture of this flotilla gave to the eii'> 
niy a free entrance into lake Ponchartrain, (/ac- 
cept what resistance they migh.t E^eet from a 



HISTORY OP THE WAR, S6§ 

small fort -co^MnaaniHig the passcige of the Re- 

. -Xlis eneiuv. liaviaor er^ed die command of 
ijie lakes^ was eaablecl to -eiiect a {>assage to tiie 
^lissis^ppi, at a point about uiiie miles from Xe«'- 
Oi leans. Geaeral Jackson advanc^ a^iiinst liira. 
determined to attack him iii his first posiiion. 
TTLie attack wa«; made in the ui^ht of the 23d 
Dececiber, at half past seveu o'clock. It ^as 
Ci)mmeiiced by a fire from tlie schooner Caroline, 
whizh dropped down the river, in ordei* to opeu 
on the rear of the camp. This vxas the sig- 
nal for Gen. Cotiee to fall on the right, while 
Gen. Jackson attacked the lett ne^ir the liiver. — 
It resulted honorablj to the American arms^ 
but produced notliing decisive. The enemv's 
force amount eil to ^bout 3000 men; diat of Gen, 
Jackson did not exceed 1500. Tiie couiiict last- 
ed an liour, and was supported with great firm- 
ness. Gen. Jackson remained on the field until 
four o'clock in the morning, when he tc>ok a new 
position t^o miles neai'er the city; having loss 
ill this afiair 24 kjllej, 115 wounded, and T-t 
missing — total 213. 

The enemv succeeded- on the 27tii. iivblowinor 
lip the Caroline, (slie being becalmed,) by means 
of iiot shot from a laud battery, erectetl in the 
nighr. On the 2Sth he :idvanct^ with his whole 
force, against general Jackson, in the hope of 
drivmg liim irom his position, and widi dfiii^^iew 
opened a fire with bombs and ropkets, at the 
uistimce of about lialf a mile. The enemv w as 
repukeii with a loss of ^ibout 120 ^en. The A- 
mcricans lost T kiileGlaijd had S wounded. ~ 

0.1 Sunday morning, the 1st January, 1815, 
tbe eriemy hmX advanced with" j yaids of the^ 

American brtast vrqrk% under cover of liight 
and a licavy fog, a!id had ert^t^ lite preceiiing 
niulit' three diiilreiit batteries, Ki0ui:tii,^ Ixj oU 

Y 



gj(5 HISTORY OF THE WAR 

;15 g'lms, from 6's to 32's. About eight o'clockj 
when tliG fog cleared off, they commenced a most 
tremendous fire upon the Americans, but it was 
amply returned by them,, and a heavy cannon- 
ading was kept up, without the least interval on 
either side, except that occasioned by the explo- 
sion of a maixazine in the rear of one of the 
American batteries, and another magazine in the 
night, owing to the enemy's Congreve rockets. 
By four o'clock in the afternoon, the Americans 
had dismounted ail the enemy's guns, except 
two. 1 hey retreated, during the night, to their 
strong hold, about a mile and a quarter from the 
Amc'rican camp. Twice did the enemy attempt 
to storm and carr^;^ th^ American batteries, but 
were as often deceived. On new-year's day, the 
loss of the Americans was 11 killed, and 23 
badly wounded. That of the enemy, from the 
accounts of two prisoners taken on that day, and 
three deserters afterwards, must have been much 
grealer. 

According as the woodsmen arrived to the 
.aid of general Jackson's arjny, they were disposed 
of to the best advantage, for the purpose of de- 
fence; but tlicse forces not being of a very eni- 
cient nature, especially as the men could not be 
all provided with the necessary arms, the general 
could not attempt any thing against an enemy, 
who was thus left -to pursue, uiidisturbed, his la- 
borious operations. 

During the davs of tlie 6th and 7th, the en- 
cmy had i:)ccri actively employed in making pre- 
parations for an attack on Jackson's lines. — 
With infinite labour they had succeeded on the 
night of the 7th, in getting their boats across 
from the lake to the river, by widening and 
deepening the canal, on which they had effected 
their disembarkation. 

C^eneral Jackson was on the left side of the ri- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 26t; 

Ter, patiently waiting the attack. General Mor- 
gan, with the New Orleans contingent ; the Lcvii- 
sjana militia, and a detachment of Kentucky 
troops, occupied an entrenched camp on the op- 
posite side of the river, protected by strong bat- 
teries on the bank, superintended by commodore 
Patterson. 

On Sunday, the 8th, at 6 1-2 o'clock, A.M. 
the enemy began a very heavy cannonade upon 
the American lines, from his batteries of IS and 
12-pounders, supported by the musketry of 2500 
men, who marched in close columns, and ad- 
vanced nearer than musket shot distance to the 
entrenchments, armed with rockets, obuses and 
facines, to storm the batteries ; they directed 
then* principal attack against the head of the 
line, flanked by the river, and upon the left rest- 
ing upon the cipress sw^amp, as well as against 
the tirailleurs and riflemen, placed above the 
said swamp ; the roaring of the guns, and firing 
o^ the musketrj^j lasted tv/o hours and a quar--' 
ter; tire enemy's mortars, although directed a- 
gainst the centre, did no harm to the troops; 
the bursting of their bombs in the works was 
of no effect. Two British officers, and one 
French engineer, of the name of Rennie, who 
had gained the summit of the American para- 
pet, v/as killed or wounded, and made prison- 
ers ; (the engineer and one colonel was kill- 
ed;) after this terrible affair, the field, in front 
of the works, was strewed with British wounded 
and killed. 

General Jackson thus briefly details the particU" 
lai's of attack. 

*' In my encampment every thing was ready for ' 
action; when early on the morning of the 8th, the 
enem^'; after throwing a shower of bombs and Con- 
g^reve rockets, advaaced their columns at my right- 



568 }IISTOP,Y OF THE WAR.' 

and left, to storm my entrenchments. I cannot 
speak Euifjcientiy in praise of the firmness and de- 
liberation with which my v/hole line received their 
approach. Pvlore could not have been expected from 
veterans inured to vrar. For an hour tlie fire of 
small arms was as incessant and severe as can be 
imagined. — The artillery, too, directed by officers 
who displayed equal ?kill and courage, did great ex- 
ecution. Yet the columns of the enemy continued 
to advance, with a firmness which reflects upon them 
the greatest credit. Twice the column which ap- 
proached me on my left was re}}ulsed by the troops 
of general Carrol, those of general Coflee, and a di- 
vision of the Kentucky m.ilitia, and twice they form- 
ed again, and renewed the assault. At length, how- 
ever, cut to pieces, they fled in confusion from the 
field, leaving it covered with their dead and wound- 
ed." 

SimultanGOusly v.ith the attack on general 
Jackson's lines, an attack was made on the 
works of general Morgan. Plad the enemv beeii 
met with resolution in this attack, it must have 
produced his entire destruction ; but, unfortu- 
nately, the Kentucky reinforcements ingloriously 
fled, drav/ing after them, by their example, the 
remainder of the forces, and leaving the batteries 
to the enejny ; not, however, until after the 
guns wxre spikefl. While general Jackson was 
preparing to dislodge the enemy from the cap- 
tured battery, the Bi'itish troops were withdrawn, 
and the post re-occupicd by the Americans. 

The return of the killed, wounded, and pri- 
soners, taken at the battle of Mac PriTdic's 
plantation, on the left bank of the Mi^iissip- 
pi, on the morning of the 8th January, 18i.>, 
and five miles below the citv of New-Orleans, 
consisted of — killed, 700; wounded, 1400; pri- 
soners 500 — total 2600. 

Among the slain wej-e general sir Edward 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. ^' 

Packenham, the chief, and general Gibbs, tii© 
third in command; general Keane, the second in. 
command, was severely wounded. General Lam- 
bert succeeded to the command. 

His total loss, in the different engagements, , 
Was not probably less than 3500; and was, by 
many, supposed to exceed 4000. The loss to the 
Americans, on the 8th, on both sides of the ri- 
ver, was 1 3 killed, 39 \vounded, and 1 9 missing ; 
total killed, wounded, and missing, this day, 71 ; 
of this number there were but 6 killed, and. 7 
wounded, in the action of the line. 

The enemy intended to pass Fort Philip, iri 
order to co-operate with the land forces in tiie 
attack on New-Orleans. On the 9th Januaryj 
at half past 3 P.IVL the enemy's bomb- vessels 
opened their fire against the fort, from 4- sea- 
mortars, ^ of them IS inches, and 2 of 10, at so 
great a distance, that the shot from the fort could 
not reach him, Tlie encmv's fire continued with 
little intermission, and with little interruptiou 
from the fort, during the 10th, 11th, 12th, ISth, 
14th, 15th, 16th, and i7th. On the even- 
ing of the 1 7th, a heavy mortar was got in rea- 
diness, and opened on the enemy \nib. great ef- 
fect. At day light on the 1 8th, - the enemy retired, 
after having thrown upwards of 1000 heavy shells, 
besides small shells from the howitzers, round 
shot and gra]>e, which he discharged from bc^ts, 
under cover of the night. Scarcely ten feet of 
the garrison remained untouched; yet the loss of 
men was small, consisting of 2 killed, and 7 
wounded. This saving of men was ov>'ing to the 
great })ains taken by the officers to keep their men 
nnder cover. 

All the enemy's movements, after the action of 
the 8tn of Januiiry, were calculated to secure iiis 
retreat, should such prove necessary, as appear- 
ances then indicated that it would, Thcii' iu- 

Y 2 



270 IMSTORY OF THE WAR. 

tentlon was, however, masked by a menacing at- 
titude, as if preparing' for a renewal of the attack 
on Jackson's hne. They had erected batteries to 
cover their retreat, in advantageous positions, 
from their original encampment to the Bayou, 
throu2:h which they entered lake Bourmie. The 
cannon placed on these batteries could have rak- 
ed a pursuing army in every direction. The sit- 
uation of tlie ground through which they retired 
was protected by canals, redoubts, entrench- 
ments, and swamps, on the right; and the river 
on the left. 

In this state of things, Jackson had an oppor- 
tunity of showing his prudence, as he befoi'e 
proved his courage, and by uniting both qualities 
perfected the general. Since the action of the 
8th, the artillery on both sides of the river was 
constantly employed in annoying the enemy. 
An attempt to storm his batteries would have 
produced great slaughter among the Americans, 
been doubtful of success, and might possibly 
have induced the enemy to delay his departure. 
It was therefore resolved by general Jackson to 
secure the advantage obtained, with the least pos- 
sible loss or hazard. 

xAll hope which tiie enemy had of reducing 
fort Philip vanished; and on the niglit of the 
18th, they precipitately decamped, and retm-ned 
to their shipping, leaving behind them 80 of their 
wounded, 14 pieces of heavy artillery, and an 
iimnense number of ball, having destroyed much 
of" their powder. 

Mr. Shields, purser in the nav}', w-rote letters 
on the 16th and 17ih of January, to ?>Ir. Niles 
of Baltimore, containing much iniormation, Irom 
^'hich the following is extracted. 

*' The day after the gun-boats were taken, I wa« 
^ent down under a fiag of truce to ascertain the late 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 27»1 

of our officers and men, with power to negociate an 
excliange, especially for the wounded. But the en- 
emy would make no terms — they treated the flag 
with contempt, and myself, and the surgeon who. 
was with me, as prisoners, until tlie iSth instant. He 
lias now lowered his, tone, and bep:s the exchange. 
that we offered. Defeat has humbled the arrogance 
of the enemy, who had promised his soldiers forty- 
eight hours pillage and rapine of the city of New- 
Orleans!" 

.On the authority of judge Poindexter, it is 
stated, that •*' the watch-word and countersio;n: 
of the enemy, on the morning of the ^th, was 
^ BE AVTY ANB BOOTY!' Comment is unncces^ 
sai'y on these significant allusions held out to a 
licentious soldiery. Had victory ' declared on 
tlieir side, th.e scenes of Havre de. Grace, of 
Hampton, of Alexandria, and of St. Sebastians^ 
would, without doubt, ha-ve been 2'e-acted at New 
Orleans, with ail tlie unfeeling and brutal inhu- 
manity of the savage foe with vvlioni we are con- 
tend inG*." 

Thus ended, in disgrace and discomfiture to 
tlie enemy, an expedition which occupied seve- 
ral months in its preparation, and was composed 
of at least 10,000 troops, drawn from almost 
every part of the world, wliere tlie British had 
garrisons or soldiers. Nothing was left undone 
to secure the occupation of an immense province, 
and the command of a river extending thousands 
of miles througii the most fertile countries in 
the w orld ; and on which several of the United 
States -depended as an outlet and market for tiieir 
produce. 

That a permanent occupation of New-Orleans 
and the state of Louisiana was intended, can 
scarcely be doubted. The fact that revenue and 
other civil officers, to reside at New-Orleans, 



"^yp HISTORY Of THE WAE. 

were on board the fleet, is a sufficient evidence 
of tins fact, as well as it is of the certainty with 
which victory was counted on; nor is this ren- 
dered doubtful bv the circumstance that the bat- 
tie was fought after the treaty of peace was ra--- 
tified by the British government. The expedi- 
tion against New-Orleans was planned long be- 
fore the signing of peace, and" at a time when the 
wavering and quibbling }:oiicy of England induc- 
ed the American commissioners at Ghent to 
write to their government, " that no hopes of 
peace, as likely to result from it, (the negociation) 
cculd be entertained." 

From an official account, it appeared that 
the number of men under command of generaL 
Jackson, and actually engage?.! against ihe en- 
emy on the 8th January, amounted to 4,698. — 
The enemy's .force, by his own account, exceed- 
ed 10,000."' 

By an article in a Jamaica paper, of the 3d 
December, it was stated that the expedition 
then prepared to go against the United States, 
under command of sir Alexander Cochrane, and 
major-general Keane, (the same that afterwards 
entered the Mississippi,) consisted of 1 ship of 80 
guns, 5 of 74, 3 of 50, 1 of 44, 6 of 38, 2 of 36, 
3 of 32, 3 of 16, 2 of 14, and 3 of 6 guns — total 
28; carrying 1084 guns, besides a great number 
of cutters, transports. Sec. 

On the 21st Jan. general Jackson directed an 
address to be publicly read at the head of ejich of 
the corps composing the lines near New- Orleans. 
It must have been a difficult and delicate task to 
do justice to individuals, where all acted so well, 
proving, in the general's words, " that a rampart 
of hio-h minded men is a better defence than the 
most regular fortification." 

This address contained the following emphatical 
paragraph. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. SVr 

- " Rerasoning always from false principles, they 
(the enemy) expected little opp(»sition trom men 
whose officers even were not in nnitbrm, who 
were ignorant of the rules of dress, and who had 
never been caiied into discipline — fatal mistake I 
a fire incessantly kept up, directed with calmness, 
and with unerring aim, strewed the field with the 
brave officers and men of the column, which slowly 
advanced, according to the most approved rules 
of European tactics, and was cut down by the 
untutored courage of the American miilitia. Un- 
able to sustain this oaliino-and unceasing fire, some 
himdreds nearest the intrenchments called tor 
quarters, which was granted — the rest, retreating, 
were rallied at some distance, but only to make 
them a surer mark for the grape and cannister 
shot of our artillery, which, without exaggera- 
tion, mowed down whole ranks at every dis- 
charge; and at length they precipitately retreated 
from the field.'' 

The following officers and volunteers are par- 
ticularly noticed by the general ; generals Coffee, 
Carroll, Adair, de Flanjac, Villere, Morgan, 
Humbert, (acting as a volunteer) Mexican ; 
field marshal Don Juan de Anavar, (volunteer;) 
colonels Ross, Dyer, Gibson, Elliott, M'Rea, 
Perry, de la Ronde, Flaynes, Piatt, Anderson, 
(killed) and adj. gen. coL Butler; lieut. col. 
Lauderdale, (killed ;) majors Hinds, Blanche, 
Carmac, St. Geme, Nicks, Chotard, Davis, Hamp- 
ton, Tatum, Lacalliere de la Tour, and la Caste 
and Dagnin, commanding two corps of coloured 
men 5 captains Baker, Humphreys, Savary, Beal, 
Ogden, Lewis, Livingston, Lefebre, Planchard, 
Smith, Griffin, Mahon, (killed) Pace, (killed) 
and the brothers La.fitte and Dominique, and Bel- 
luche, (Baratarians;) lieutenants M'Clellan, (kik 
led,) Dupy, Spotts, Kerr, Alexis, Crawford, (kil- 
led,) and Leach; commodore Patterson, captain- 



2^4 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

Henlej^, lieutenants N orris and Growly, and mivl-. 
sliipiiian Eni^nius Watkins, of the navy ; aids-de- 
camp Tlio>. D. Butler, John Reed, '^Livingston, 
Duncan, Grvnies, Duplea^sisand de Castera : doc- 
tors KeerandPlood; judge Le\ns, (vohmteer;) 
and Messrs. Chaveau, Hiriart, Latrobe, Gilbert, 
Bosquet, and Decoin. 

Several desperate characters, citizens of the 
United States, as well as foreigners, natives of 
different countries, had associated themselves in- 
to a band of pirates, under the chief Lafitte, and 
had taken up their residence in the island of Bar- 
ataria, near the mouth of the Mississippi. The . 
government of tl»e United States caused this un- 
lawful establishment to be broken up. Tlie ex- 
pedition against the Baratarians, took possession 
of all the piratical vessels, their prizes, and a 
considerable quantity of arms and property, with- 
out opposition, on the 16th September, 1814. 
The vessels thus taken consisted of six schooners, 
and one felucca, cruizers and prizes of "Cn^i pirult^ 
one brig, a prize, and two tunned schooners, both- 
m line of battle v.-ith the armed vessels of the pi- 
rates. The establishment on shorc, which was 
also taken possession of, consisted of about 4?0 
houses. The pirates had mounted on their vessels 
20 pieces of cannon, of different calibres, and their 
number consisted of between 800 and 1000 men, 
of all nations and colours. The expedition a- 
gainst the pirates was commanded by com. Pat- 
terson, of tlie navy, having on board a de- 
tachment of land troops, under command of colo- 
nel Ross. 

The Baratarian pirates took part in the defence 
of New- Orleans against the British, and were 
both active and serncea^le. It was also satisfac- 
torily ascertained tliat they had, previous to their 
dispersion, refused an alliance with the British, , 
jcejecthig the most seducing terms, of invitatious. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 275 

InJuced by tliese considerations, and at the re- 
commendation of the general assembly of the 
etate of Louisiana, the president of the United 
States granted to such of them as aided in defence 
of New-Orleans, a full pardon for ail offences a- 
gainst the laws of the United States, committed 
previous to the 8th January, 1S15. 

The enemy, after being 'defeated near New-Or- 
leans, turned his attention to the state of Geor- 
gia ; and, from appearances, intended a visit to 
Savannah. The unprepai'ed state of Georgia, 
and the di-eadful character cf the enemy, caused 
a o-reat alarm among the iidiabitants of the state. 

"bn the 11th January, 1S15, the enemy, to the 
number of 1500 or 2000 men, effected a landing 
on Cumbei Lmd island. On the 1 3th,^ Point-Petre 
was caiTied by storm: and on the following daj', 
St. Mary's capitulated, in consequence of a flag 
sent from the inhabitants of the town. The enemy 
evacuated Point-Petre and Sc. Clary's, the 21st 
January, after burning the barracks and blowing 
up the tort. Had the enemy attempted Savann-^h, 
-he would have met a reception similar to that expe- 
rienced at New-Orleans. No people ever turned out 
more generally, or with gi-eater alacrity, than the 
men oi^ Georgia. The militia, in every part of 
tlie state, were in motion, when the news of peace, 
?.nd retreat of the cneni}', reached them. V> hile 
the enemy was marching against Point-Petre, 
capt. Massias, of the 1st V. S. rifie corps, at the 
head of 60 m.en, attempted to oppose 1000, 
committed considerable havoc among the enemy, 
and retreated, with the loss of 3 killed, 4- wound- 
ed, and 9 missing. 

The fortress of Mobile, witliin the limits of 
the purchase of Louisiana, had been retained by 
the Spaniards, notwithstanding its purchase by 
the United States. The war oetwcen Great Bri- 
tain and tlie United States rendered it necessary 



276 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

to occupy this place, lest it should liill into the 
possession of the enemy. On the 15th April, 
1813, general Wilkinson appeared beiore it, at 
the head of a respectable force ; when, the garri- 
son beinfic summoned to surrender, the Spanish 
troops were immediately embarked for Pensacola, 
and Mobile taken possession of by the United 
States' troops. 

Pensacola, although a Spanish post, was not 
properly entitled to the character of neutral. The 
conduct of the Spanish governor left no doubt as 
to his attachment to the British, and his hostile 
disposition toward the United States. 

Pensacola was an asylum for hostile Indians; 
at Pensacola they were armed, provisioned, and 
paid. Pensacola was a depot of British arms, 
a home for traitors to the United States, and a 
place of rendezvous for every ally of the enemy, 
whether white, black, or red. 

As soon as the war in Europe was hkely to end, 
and Britain at hberty to direct her wh^)le force 
against the United States, the understanding with 
*i e governor of Florida became less masked, and 
the British ofRcers boldly dated their public acts 
from " Head-Quarters, Pensacola !" 

It was, under these circumstances, determined 
to a,ttack the British at their " head-quarters," 
and to storm the town, although defended by 
strong batteries, and supported by seven armed 
British vessels in the bay. On the 7th November, 
181 4-, the assault was made, under the command 
and direction of general Jackson. - "^Tiic following 
animated repoit of the assault was made by gene- 
ral Jackson, in a letter to oovei-nor Earlv : 

*' I entered sv ord in hand, with about 2000 bra-v.e 
-f< Hewers, in the face of Spanish battcies, and 
^a British fleet oi' 7 sail, anchored abreast ami op- 



% 



HISTORY OF THE WAR- SXt 

poslte the town% The English, hy intrigue and b;ise 
falsehood, induced the Spaniards to abandon the 
works comnraiiding tiie harbour, entered them, and 
blew them U}>, otherwise they would have fallen a 
saerilice to their own plans. When this took place, 
the fleet being at libs^t}' to g > out, ,did so ; and I 
evacuated the town, leaving the Spaniards favourably 
impressed with our conduct, and disgusted with their 
British friends." 

Fort Bowyer was closely besieged by land and 
water, on the 8th February. 1815, by a verv iar<xe 
force of the enemy, 'i'iie garrison consisted of 
about 360 men, including officers, commanded 
by Lieut. Col. W. Lawrence. The enemy ad- 
vanced by regular approaciies, and was witliin 
certain musket shot of the parapets of the fort, on 
the land side, when the garrison was surrendered, 
on the 12th, by capitulation. There vv-ere but 
few lives lost on either side. 

On the Si-th February, 6 barges of the enemy 
proceeded up the river St. Mary's, with a view 
to burn the mills belonninfr to Mr. A. Clarke. — 
They were opposed by a rev/ patriots from the Flo- 
rida shore, when the boats tacked about to re- 
treat ; at this moment, about SO men attacked 
them from an ambush on the opposite shore. The 
enemy was thus placed between tv/o fires, which 
continued to gall him laitil he reached a part of 
the river, where, by keeping the centre, he was 
bevond the reach of the fire from botli sliores. 
11 10 enemv lost unvv^ards of 100 men. The A- 
nieri'.;ans had only one nmn wounded. 

riie U. S. ship President, com. 13ccatur, sail- 
ed on a cruise from New- York, the 1 I4h January, 
18L5. The ship, in going over the bar, grounded, 
and suffered so much in consequence, as evidently 
to affed't her sailiu^r ; and was the cause of her 
subsequent capture, by a superior force of tlie 
enemy. At 5, A. M. on the 15th, the President 

Z 



STB HISTO R Y OP THE \r Alt. 

fell in with the enemy's squadron, consisting o^ 
the Majestie, razee, Endymion, Pomone, Tenedos, 
and Despatch, brig. The injury done to the Pre- 
sident, when she grounded off the Hook, prevent-' 
edher outsaihng tlie enemy's fleet. The Endymi- 
on (mT)untino' Mfiy guns, 24 pounders, on the 
main-deck) having aj^proached within gun-shot, 
conmicnced a firing at 5, P. M. more with a view 
^ delay than to try strength with th.e President. 
The latter, however, vas enabled to bring her guns 
so far to bear, as to silence the Endymion, and 
to put her, by. 8 o'<'lock, fully out of combat, so 
much crippled, that she could with great difficul- 
ty be worked, or kept afloat. The near approach 
of the other ships obliged the President to aban- 
don a vessel, that must, if not supported by her 
consorts, huve surrendered. The Pomone and 
Tenedos cimie up and engaged the President at 
the same time, the Majestic being also within gun- 
shot. It being useless and imprudent to engage 
■so overpowering a force, commodore Decatur 
struck his flag, and went on board the Majestic, 
.where he delivered his sword to captain Hays, 
the senior officer, of the squadron, who politely re- 
^turned it. The v»rittcn parole granted to commo- 
dore Decatur, s}iecificd his liaving surrendered the 
President to a *- Bi"itish squadron ;" thus jilenc- 
in^'^ those who wished to have it understood, that 
the commodore struck liis flag to a single ship. 
The prize-money arising from tl^e capture of the 
.President,, was divided among the crews of the 
squadron by which she was captured. 

Tlte loss on board the enemy could not be iis- 
certained; that of the President consisted of 24 
• killed, and 50 wounded. Among the kiiiod were 
lieutenants Babbit, Hamilton, and Howell. 

Commodore Decatur, in his official report, wrote 
that " a considerable number of his killed and 
wounded was from the fire of the Pomone \ and 



HISTORY OF TriE WA^. 2^ 

that the Endymion had on board, in addition to 
her own crew, 1 Heiitenant, 1 master's mate, and 
50 seamen, belonging to the Saturn; and when 
the action ceased, was left motionless and unman- 
jigeable, initil she bent new sails, rove new rigginir:^ 
and fished her spars ; nor did she join the squa- 
dron until six hours alter the action, and 3 hours- 
after the surrender of the President." , 

The U. S, frigate Constitution, captain Stewart, 
sailed from Boston in December, rSM-. ^Vhen- 
ofl' Madeira, on the evening of the SOtli Febru- 
ary, 1815, she fell in with his Britannic raaiebty's^ 
ships Cyane and Levant, which she captured, af- 
ter an action of 40 minutes. 

The Cyane is a frigate built ship, mounting 34^ 
carriage guns, viz. 22 32-pound carronades on- 
the gun deck, 8 S2-pound carronades on the quar- 
ter deck, 2 18-poHnd carronades, and 2 long 9s 
on the forecastle, with a complement of 175 men* 
The Levant mounted 2i carrianre arnns, viz. 18 
2'1< pound carronades, 2 long 9s, and a shifting 12- 
pounder on the top-gallant forecastle, with a com- 
plement of 150 meni — llie enemy's vessels suffer*-- 
ed severely in spars, rigging, and sails.- The Con- 
stitution received little injury, hiving but 4 men 
killed, and 10 Avounded. The Cyane had 7 killed 
and 17 wounded; the Levant, 9 killed and 1? 
wounded.- 

On tlie 12th March, the Constitution and herpri*-' 
zes fell in with three British frigates. The frigates 
kept together in chase of the Constitution, lest, 
by separating, they might be captured in succes-* 
sion. The Constitution outsailed and escaped the 
enemy's squadron ; the Cyane arrived at New- 
York; and the Levant was attacked and taken by 
the British squadron, in the harbor of Porto Prayv 
a, in the inland of St. Jago, in violation of the 
neutrality of the port^ and contrary to the laws of 



2^0 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

riations. The Constitution arrived safely in the 
United States. 

On the 19th July, 1813, tlie U. S. brig of war 
^yrcn, of 16 guns, was captured, after a'cliase of 
J 1 hoars, by his Britannic majesty's frigate Med- 
way. During tlie chase, the Syren threw over- 
board all her guns, boats, anchors, cables, and 
spars. 

On the 2/5 th May, 1813, the president of the 
United States informed congress that his majesty 
the emperor of llussiu had offered his mediation 
in order to facilitate a peace between Great-Britain 
and the United States; that the ofler was accepted 
by the president, and that three citizens had been 
commissioned to treat accordingly. 

On the meeting of congress in December fol- 
lowing, the president, in his message to both hous- 
es, intbrraed them that Great-Britain had declined 
negociating under the mediation of Russia. 

Notwithstanding tliis refusal of the British ga- 
vernment to acce})t the Russian mediation, the 
British ambassac.jr at the court of St. Peters- - 
burgh, directed a letter, in September, to the Rus- 
sian government, intimating a desire to treat im- 
mediately withtho American pleni})otentiaries. 

Lord Castlereagh, secretary of state to his 
Britannic majesty, enclosed a copy of the above 
note, in a letter of the 4th November, to the 
secretary of state of the United States, at the 
city of Washington, proposing that tlie two go- 
-vernments would enter into direct negociation for 
a termination of the war, on terms that would be 
mutually advantageous; and that the ncgociations 
would be entered into at Gottenburg or London. 
The proposition was promptly acceded to by the 
American government, fixing on Gottenburg as. 
the place of negociation. 

The senate confirmed, on the 19th January, 
1814, the . nomination by the president of John 



lirsTORY OF THE WAR. mr 

Quill cy Adams, James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, 
and Jonatbau Riissel, as ministers to treat for 
peace with Britiisli commissioners at Gottenbargli. 
It was afterwards agreed that the treaty should 
beheld at Ghent. 

.So indecisive and equivocating was the con- 
duct of British ministers, that many persons 
doubted whether any commissioners would be 
appointed on the part of Britain; and, when 
appointed, it w^as pretty generailj/ believed that 
the appointment was nievcly ]yro fon,>?a, without 
any intention to agree to reasonable terms of 
peace. 

The British government appointed, .as their 
cx>mmissioners, lord Gainbier, Henry Goulburn, 
esq. and William Adams, esq. These personages 
arrived at Ghent the 6th Auo'ust. 

At the first meetino- with the. American com- 
missioners terms were oifered on the part of Eng- 
land, so deo'radino; and offensive to tlie United- 
States, tiiat it was impossible to accept theai ; 
and as some of them were offered in the form of a 
sine qua fon^ there remained not a hope of a 
speedy negociation of hostilitia^, , 

. The new;s, v/hen arrived in the tJiiited States, 
roused at once the pride and theeuergy o£ the: 
nation ;* and produced a union of sentiment thaJE 
presaged future glory and success. >■ f 

It was now evident, that the iiegociations at 
Ghent hung on those then pending before a 
congress of the ministers of several potentates - 
assembled at Vienna, for settling a general peace- 
in Europe. 

It is easy to conceive tha-t the task to be; per- 
formed by the congress at Vienna was diilicult-.- 
Wrapped up in state secrecy, and inSiienced by. 
state intrigues, tlie course of negociation , at Vi- 
enna was in a great degj-ee withheld iiom the pub-- 
lie eye. The con tinned arrnam<^nti3 of Eurdpeart 

Z 2^ 



582 HISTORY OF THE WAW, 

powers, and tlie military parade with which th^ 
duke of Wellington appeared in Belgium, even 
before the emperor of Elba ceased to be a pen- 
sioner of Louis XVIII. led to the suspicion that 
the rights of European sovereigns must be set- 
tled by a new eiriision of the blood of their sub- 
jects. 

Whatever motive may have influenced the 
British government, it is certain, that a very sud- 
. den change of tone was produced on their part. 
The consequence was, that a treaty of peace 
between Great Britain and the United States was 
signed at (ilient, the 2l4h December, 1814, lord 
Gambler, Henry Goulburn, and William Adams, 
as commissioners on the part of Enghmd ; and 
by John Quincy Adams, J. A. Bayard, Henry 
Cla}^, Jonathan Russel, and Albert Gallatin, as 
commissioners on the part of the United States; 
ratified at London the 28th of the same month, 
and ratified at the city of Washington on the 17th 
February, 1815. 

On tlic 18th February, 1815, the president of 
the United States caused a proclamation to be 
published, of which the follovving is a copy ; to- 
gether with the treaty of peace. ^ 



JAMES MADISON, 

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

To all and singular t« -whom these presents shall eome^ g) eethtg^ 

WHEREAS, a treaty of peace and amity between the Up.it- 
cd States of America, and his Britannic majesty, was signed 
at Ghent, on twenty-fourth day of September, one thousand 
eight hundred and fourteen, by the plenipotentiaries respec- 
tively appointed for that purpose; and the said treaty having- 
been, by and with the advice and consent of the senate of the 
Vttited States, duly accepted, ratified, and coulirmed, on the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 283 

aeventeenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and 
fifteen ; and ratified copies thereof having been exchanged 
agreeably to the tenor of the said treaty, which is in the 
words following, to wit : 

Treaty ef peace and amity betiveen his Britannic majesty and the 

United States of America. 

His Britannic majesty and the United States of America, de- 
sirous of terminating the war which has unhappily subsisted 
between the two countries, and of restoring, upon principles 
of perfect reciprecity, peace, friendship, and good understand- 
ing between them, have, for that purpose, appointed their 
respective plenipotentiaries, that is to say: his Britannic ma- 
jesty, on his part, has appointed the right honour- 
able James lord Gatnbier, late admiral of the white, 
now admiral of the red squadron of his' majesty's fleet, 
Henry Goulburn, esquire, a member of the imperial 
parliament, and under secretary of state, and William Adams, 
esquire, doctor of civil laws : — and the president of the United 
States, by and with the advice and consent of the senate 
thereof, has appointed John Ouincy Adams, James A. Bayard, 
Henry Clay, Jonathan Russel, and Albert Gallatin, citizens 
of the United States, who, after a reciprocal commuuication 
of their respective full powers, have agreed upon the follow- 
ing articles, 

ARTICLE THE FIRST. 

There shall be a firm and universal peace between his Bri- 
tannic majesty and the United States, and between their res- 
pective countries, territories, cities, ^ovirns, and people, of e- 
very degree, Avithout exception of places or persons. All hos- 
tilities, both by sea aiid land, shall cease as soon as this treaty 
shall have been ratified by both parties, as hereinafter men- 
tioned. All territory, places, and possessions whatsoever, 
taken from either party by the other, during the war, or which 
maybe taken after the signing of this treaty, excepting only 
the islands hereinafter mentioned, shall be restored without 
delay, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away 
any of the artillery or other public property originally cap- 
tured in the said forts or places, and which shall remain 
therein upon the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, 
or any slaves or other private property. And all archives, 
records, deeds, and papers, either of a public nature, or be- 
longing to private persons, which, in the course of the" war, 
may have fallen info the hands of the oflicers of either party, 
shall be, as far as may be practicable, forthwith restored and 
delivered to the proper authorities and persons to whom they 
respectively belong. Such of the islands in the bay of I'as- 
sama^^ucddy a» are claimed by both partiesj shall remain in 



284 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

the possession of the party in whose occupation they may be; 
at the time of the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty,* 
until the decision respecting the title to the said islands shall 
have been made in conformity with the fourth article of this 
treaty. No disposition made by this treaty, as to such pos- 
sessions of the islands and territories claimed by both parties, 
sliall, in any manner whatever, be construed to affect the 
right of either. 

ARTICLE TKIl SECOND. 

Immediately after the ratifications of this treaty by both 
parties, as hereinafter mentioned, orders shall be sent to the 
armies, squadrons, officers, subjects and citizens, of the two 
powers to cease from all hostilities: and to prevent all cause 
of complaint which might arise on account of the prizes 
which may be taken at sea after the sr^id ratifications of this 
treaty, it is reciprocally agreed, that all vessels and efTects- 
which may be taken after the space of twelve days from the 
said ratifications, upon all parts of the coast of North A- 
nierica, from the latitude of twenty-three degrees north, to 
the latitude of fifty degrees north, and as far eastward in the 
Atlantic ocean, as the- thirty-sixth degree of west longitude 
from the meridian of Greenwich, shall be restored to each 
side: that the time shall be thirty days in all other parts of 
the Atlantic ocean, north of the equinoctial line or equator, 
and the same time for the British and Irish channels, for the 
^If of Mexico, and all parts of the West Indies: forty days- 
fS^ the North seas, for the Baltic, and for all parts of the 
Mediterranean: sixty days for the Atlantic ocean, south of the 
equator, as far as the latitude of the cape of Good Hope: 
ninety days for every part of the world south of the equator : 
and one hundred and twenty days for all other parts of the- 
world, without exception. 

ARTICLE THE THIRD.— 

All prisoners of war taken on cither side, as well by land 
as by sea, shall be restored as soon as practicable aft?r the ra- 
tification of this treaty, as hereinafter mentioned, on their pay- 
ing the debts which they may have contracted during their 
captivity. The two contracting parties respectively engage to 
di.-charge in specie, the advances which may have been made 
by the other, for the sustenance and maintenance of such pri- 
soners. 

ARTICLE THE FOURTH. 

Whereas it v/as stipulated bv the second article in the treaty 
of peace of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, be- 
tween his Britannic majestv and the United States of America, 
that the boundary of the United States should comprehend all 
islands within t.venty leagues of any pa*t of the shores of the 
Uuittd States, and lying between lines to be drawn due east 
fri>m the poiuts where the aforesaid bouadaries?, betv»'een No* 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. . 235 

ya Scotia on the one part, and East Florida on the other, shall 
respectively touch the bay of Fundy, and the Atlantic ocean, 
excepting such islands as now are, or heretofore have been, 
within the limits of Nova Scotia; and Vt^hereas r!ie several 
islands in the bay of Passamaquoddy, which is part of the bay 
of Fwndy, and the island of Grand Menan in the said bay of 
Fundy, are claimed by the United States as being compre- 
hended within their aforesaid boundaries, which said islands 
are claimed as belonging to his Britannic majesty, a& having 
been at the time of, and previous to, the aforesaid treaty of 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three within the limits 
of the province of Nova Scotia. In order, therefore, finally 
to decide upon these claims, it is agreed that they shall be 
referred to two commissioners, to be appointed in the follow- 
ing manner, viz. one commissioaer shall be appointed by his 
Bntannic majesty,, and one by the president of tjje United 
Stat«s, by and with the advice and consent of the senate there- 
of, and the said two commissioners so appointed shall be swora 
impartially to examine and decide upon the said claims accord- 
ing to such evidence as shall be laid before them on the part 
of his Britannic majesty and of the United States respec- 
tively. The said commissioners shall meet at St. Andrews, in 
the province of New Brunswick, and shall have power to ad- 
journ to such other place or places as they shall think fit. 
The said commissioners shall, by a declaration or report under 
their hands and seals, decide to which of the two contracting 
parties the several islands aforesaid do respectively belong, i.i 
conformity with the true intent of the said treaty of peace of 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. And if the 
said commissioners shall agree in their decision, both parties 
shall consider such decision as final and conclusive. It is fur- 
ther agreed, that in the event of the two commissioners dif- 
fering upon all or any of the matters so referred to them, or 
iu the event of both or either of the said commissioners re- 
fusing, or declining, or wilfully omitting, to act as such, they 
shall make, jointly or separately, a report or reports, as well 
to the government of his Britannic majesty as to that of the 
United States, stating in detail the points on which they differ, 
and the grounds upon which their respective opinions have been 
formed, or the grounds upon which they, or either of them, 
have so refused, declined, or omitted to act. And his Britannic 
majesty, and the government of the United States hereby a- 
gree to refer the report or reports of the said commissioners 
to some friendly sovereign or state, to be then named for that 
purpose, and who shall be requested to decide on the differ- 
ences which may be stated in the said report or reports, or 
upon the report of one commissioner, together with the 
grounds upon which tlie other commissioner shall have re- 
fused, declined, or omitted to act, as the case may be. And 
if the commissioner so refusing, declining, or omitting to 



28a HISTOHY OF THE WAR. 

act, shall also wilfully omit to state the grounds upon whicE' 
he has so done, in such manner that the said statement may 
be referred to such friendly sovereign or state, together with 
the 'report of such other commissioner, then such sov«reigrt 
or state shaii decide ex parte upon the said report alone. And 
his Britannic majesty and the goverument of the United 
State?, engage to consider the decision of some friendly so- 
vereign or state, to be such and concrusiv; on all the matters 
%o referred. 

ARTtCLE THE FIFTH. 

Whereas neither that point of the high lands lying due north 
from the source of the river St. Croix, and designated, in the 
former treaty of peace between the two powers, as the north-- 
west angle of Nova Scotia, nor the northwesternmost head 
of Connecticut river, lias yet been ascertained ; and whereas 
that part of the boundary line between the dominion of the 
two powers, which extends from the source of the river St, 
Croix, directly north to the above-mentioned north-west angle 
of Nova Scotia, thence along the said highlands which divide 
those rivers that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, 
from those which fall info the Atlantic ocean, to the north- 
wesrerumost head of Connecticut river; thence down along 
the middle of the river to the forty-fifth degree of north lat!» 
t'lde J thence by a line due west on said latitude until it strikes 
the river Iroquois, or Cataraguy, has not been surveyed : It is 
agreed that for these several purposes two commissioners shall 
be appointed, sworn, and authorized, to act exactly in the man» ■ 
ner directed with respect to those mentioned in the next pre*- 
ceding article, unless otherwise specified in the present article. 
The said commissioners shall meet at St. Andrews, in the pro- 
vince of New-Brunswick, and shall have power to adjourn 
to such other place or places as they shall think lit. The 
said commissioners shall have power to ascertain and determine 
the points abovementioned, in coftformity with the provisions 
cf the said treaty of peace of one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty three ; and shall cause the boundary aforesaid, 
from the source of the river St. Croix, to the river Iroquois 
or Cataraguy, to be surveyed and marked according tc the 
?aid provisions. The said commissioners shall make a map of 
the said boundary, and annex to it a declaration under their 
hands and seals, certifying it to be the true map of the said 
boundary, and particularizing the latitude and longitude of 
the north-west angle of Nova Scotia, of the northwesternmost 
head of Connecticut river, and of such other points of the 
same boundary as they may deem proper. And both parties 
agree to consider such map and declaration as finally and con- 
clusively fixing the said boundary. And in the event of thfc 
said two commissioners difTering, or both or either of them re- 
fusing, declining, or wilfully omittipg to act, such repons>,de*- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 287 

^iaratfons, or statements, shall be made by them, or either of 
them, and such reference to a friendly sovereign or state shall 
be made, in all respects, as in the latter part of the fourth ar- 
ticle is contained, and in as full a manner as if the same was 
• herein repeated. 

ARTICLE t6e sixth. 

Whereas, by the former treaty of peace, that portion of the 
•boundary of the United States, from the point where the 
forty-fifth degree of north latitude s^tik;es the river Iroquois, or 
Cataraguy, to the lake Superior, was declared to be *' along 
the middle of said river into lake Ontario ; through the mid- 
dle of said lake until it strtKes the communication by water 
between that lake and lake Erie ; theuc along the middle of 
said communication into lake Erie ; through the middle of that 
lake until it arrives at the water jcoramunication into the lake 
Huron ; thence through the middle of said lake to the water 
communication between that lake and lake Superior ;" — and 
whereas doubts have arisen, what was the middle of said river, 
■lakes and water communications, and whether certain islands 
lying in the same were within the dominions of his Britannic 
majesty or of the United States : In order, therefore, finally 
to decide these doubts, they shall be referred to two commis- 
fsioners, to be appointed, sworn, and authorized to act, exactly 
in the manner directed with respect to those mentioned in the 
next preceding article, unless otherwise specified in this present 
article. — The said commissioners shall meet, in the first instance, 
at Albany, in the state of New- York, and shall have power 
,to adjourn to suchfither place or places as they shall think fit. 
^The said commissioners sh'kll, by a report or declaration, 

■ under their hands and seals, designate the boundary through 
the said river, lakes, and water communications, and deride to 
which of the two contracting parties the several islands lying 
within the said river, lakes, and v/ater communications, do re- 
spectively belong, in conformity with the true intent of the 
*aid treaty of one thousand seven hundred avid eighty three. 
And both parties agree to consider such designation and deci*- 
sion as final and conclusive. And in the event of the caid two 
commissroners differing, or both or either of them refusing, de- 
clining, or wilfully omitting to act, such reports, declarations 
•or statements shall be made by them, or cither of them, and 
such reference to a friendly sovereign or state, shall be made, 
m all respects, as in the latter part of the fourth article is 

■ contained, and in as full a manner as if the same was hert;n 
repeated. 

A«TIOI.E THE SEYE1JTH. 

It is further agreed, that the said two last mentioned con-- 

■jnissioners, after they shall have executed the duties assigned 

to them in the preceding article, shall be, and they are hereby 

authorized, upon their oaths, impartially to fix and determin*-. 



238 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

according to the true intent of the said treaty of peace, of 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, that part of the 
boundary between the dominions of the two powers, which ex- 
tends from the water communication between lake Huron and 
lake Superior, to the most north-western point of the lake of 
the Woods; to decide to which of the two parties the several 
■islands I/ing in the lakes, water communications, and rivers, 
■forming the said boundary, do respectively belong, in conform- 
ity with the true intent ol the said treaty of peace, of one 
thousand seven hundred and eighty three ; and to cause 
such parts of the said boundary as require it, to be surveyed 
and marked. The said commissioners shall, by a report or decla« 
ration under their bauds and seals, designate the boundary afore- 
said, state their decision on the points thus referred to them, and 
particularize the latitude ajid longitude of the most north- 
western point of the lake of the Woods, ahd of such other 
parts of the said boundary as they may deem proper. And 
both parties agree to consider such designation and decision as 
final and conclusive. And in the event of the said two com- 
missioners difFering, or hoth or either of them refusing, de- 
clining, or wilfully omitting to act, such reports, declarations, 
or statements, shall be made by them, or either of them, and 
'Such reference to a friendly sovereign or state, shall be made ia 
all respects, as in the latter part of the fourth article is con- 
tained, and in as full a manner as if the same was herein re- 
peated. 

ARTICLE THE EIGHTH. 

The several boards of two commissioners, mentioned in 
the four preceding articles, shall respectively have power to 
appoint a secretary, and to employ such surveyor, or «ther 
persons, as they shall judge necessary. Duplicates of all their 
respective reports, declarations, statements and decisions, and 
of their accounts, and of the journal of their proceedings, 
fihall be delivered by them to the agents of his Britannic ma- 
jesty, and to the agents of the United States, whs may be re- 
spectively appointed, and authorized to manage the business 
on behalf of their respective governments. The said commis- 
sionrrs shall be respectively paid in such manner as shall be 
agreed betv/een the two contracting parties ; such agreement 
being to be settled at the time of the exchange of the ratifica- 
vtions of this treaty. — And all other expences attending the 
jaid commissioners shall be -defrayed erjually by the two par. 
ties. And in case of death, sickness, resignation, or necessary ab- 
sence, the place of every such commissioner respectively shall be 
supplied in the !=ame manner as such commi'^sioner was first ap- 
-pointed ; and the new commissioner shall take the same oarh 
or affirmation, and do the same duties. It is further agreed 
between the two contracting parties, that in case ar.y of the 
islands mentioned in any of the preceding articles, which were 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 2^1 

in the po?se«3lon of c.e of the parties prior to the commence- 
ment of the present war between rhe two countries, should, 
isy the deeisio.i of any of tlic boards of commissioners afore- 
said, or of the sovereign or state so referred to, as in the four 
nezt preceding articles contained, fall within the dominions 
of the-oiher party, aU grants of land made previous to thp 
comms'bceraent of the war by the party having had such 
-possession, shall be as valid as if such is'.aad or islands had, by 
such decision or decisions, been adjudged to be within the do- 
minions of the party having had such possession. 

ARTICLE THE NINTH. 

The Umted States of Ami-rica cng3ge to put an end, imme- 
diatelv after the ratification of the present treaty, to hostilities 
with all the tribes or nations of Indians, with whom they 
may b? at war at the time of such ratification; and forthwith 
to' restore to such tribes or nations respectively, ail the pos- 
sessions, rights, and privileges, which they may have enjoyed, 
or been entitled to, in one thousand eight hundred and eleven, 
previous to such hostilities ; provided always, that such tribes 
©r nations shall agree to delist from all hostilities against the 
United States of America, their citizens and subjects, up- 
on the ratincatioa of the present treaty being notified to such 
tribes or nations, and shall so desist accordingly. And his 
Briianaic majesty engages on his part, to put an end, imme- 
dir-tely after the ratification of the present treaty, to ho;stiliti$:s 
with ail the tribes or nations of [ndisns with whom he may be 
at war at the ti;ne of such ratification; and forthwith to re- 
store to such tribes or nations respectively, ail the possessions, 
rights, and privileges, which they may have enjoyed, or been 
entitled to, in one thousand eight hundred and eleven, ^pre- 
vious to such hostilities; provided always, that such tribes :,-r ' 
nations shall agree JO desist from all hostUities against hJS 
Britannic majesty and his subjects, upon the raiificatioa 
of the preseat treaty being uoti^ed to^uchthbes or nations, 
and shall so desist accordingly. 

a'rtic'-e the tenth, 
whereas the traulc in slaves is irreconcilable with thi 
principles of humanity and justice, and whereas both his m.*- 
jestv and the United St?.tes are desirous of contiuuing their 
efFJrts CO promote its entjre abolition ; it is hereby agreed, that 
both -the conirac:ia^ parties shaH use their besc endeavours to 
accomplish so desirable an object. 

ARTICLE TBe ELEVENTH. 

This treaty, when the same >shail teve been rattuei* on both 
sbles^ without, alteration by either of the contracting parties, 
and the ratiiic.-itions mutiraliy exchanged, shall be binding 
on both parties; and the ratiti^axions shall be exci.aaged at 

A a 



^9© HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

Wnshington, in the space of four months from this day, or 
sooner it practicable. 

In faith whereof, we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have 
signed this treaty, and have thereunto affixed our seals. 

'Done in triplicate, at Ghent, the twenty-fourth day of 
December, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen. 

(l s.) GAMBIER, 

(L. b) HENRY GOm,BURN, 

(l s.) WILLIAM ADAMS, 

(t. s ) JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, 

(L. s.) J. A. BAYARD, 

(L s) H. CLAY, 

(L. s.) JONA. RUSSELL, 

(L. s.) ALBERT GALLATIN. 

Now, therefore, to the end that the said tre?ty of peace and 
aniiiy may be observed with good faith on the part of the 
'United Ststes, I, J.mes Madison, president as aforesaid, have 
caused the premises-to be made public ; and I do hereby en- 
join all persons bearing office, civil or military, within the 
United biates, and all others, citizens or inliaLitants thereof, 
or beino- witrJn the same, faijhfuUv to f)bserve and fulfil the 
said treaty, and every clduse tnd article thereof. 

hi testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the 
c(l s.) United States to be affixed to these presents, and 
signed the same with my hand. 

Done at the city of Washington, this eighteenth day 
of Februaiy, in the year of cur Lord one tiiousand 
ei('ht liundred and fifteen, and cf the sovereiontv 
and independence of the United States, the tlii^rty 
ninth. 

JAMES MADISON. 
Bv the President, 
' J AMES MONROE, Acting Secretary of State. 

Tiie terms of the treaty beiusi: considered lio- 
nournble to tlio coiinti y, raid satistactory to the 
citizen^-, tlieir ratification was followetl by tlie most 
genenii and encbusiastic joy, accompanied by 
iilnmiiiations, &c. &c. in every part of the union. 

Reference being had in this treaty to tliat of 
1783, it is thought proper, for the better untkr- 
standing cf the whole, to print, in this pkice, tlie 
fgikwiug copy of the said treaty. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 2n 

DEFINITIVE TREATY OF PEACE, 

BETWEEN THE 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND HIS BRITANNIC 

MAJESTY. 

■ 111 the name of the Most Kuly aud Undivided Trinity.- 

IT having pleased the Div?ne Providence to diiepoRe the 
hearts of the most serene and most potent prince Georo^e the 
third, by the grace of God icing of Great Britani, France' 
and Ireland, defender of the fiith, Dui«e of Brunswick and 
Lunenburg, Arch-treasurer and Prince elector of the n-ost 
holy Roman empire, &c. and of the United States of Ameri"' 
ca, to forget all past misunderstandings and differences that 
have unhappily interrupted the good correspondence and 
friendship which they mutually wish to restore, and to estab- 
lish such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse between the 
two. countries, upon the ground of reciprocal advantages and 
mutual convenience, as may promote and secure to both per- 
petual peace and harmony : and having, for this desirable end, 
already laid the foundation of peace and reconciliation, by 
the provisional articles signed at Paris, on the thirtieth of No- 
vember, one thousand seven hundred, and eighty two, by the 
commissioners empowered on each pirt, which articles wer-e 
agreed to be inserted in, and to constitute the treaty of peace 
proposed to be concluded between the crown of Great Britain 
and the said United States, but which treaty w.^s not to be 
concluded until terms of peace should be agreed upon be- 
tween Great Britain and France, and his Britannic majesty 
should be ready to conclude such treaty accordingly : and the 
treaty between Great Britain and, France having since been 
concluded, his Britannic majesty and the United States of 
America, in order to carry into full effect the provisional ar- 
ticles abovementioued, according to the tenor thereof, have 
constituted and appointed, that is to say, his Britannic majesty 
on his part, David Hartley, esquire, member of the Parliament: 
of Great Britain; and the said United States on their part, 
John Adams, esquire, late a commissioner of the United States 
of America at the court of Versailles, late delegate in Conpress 
from the state of Massachusetts, and Chief Justice of the°sa!d 
state, and A'I'nibter plenipotentiary of the said Uui'-ed States 
to. their high mightinesses the States General of the United 
Netherlands; Benjamin Franklin, esq. late delegate in Congre:55 
from the state of Pennsylvania, President of the Convention of 
the said state, and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United 
States of America at the court of Versailles;. John Jay, esquira*. 



292 HISTOEY OF TFIE WAK. 

late President of Corgresp, and Chief Justice of the state of 
New York, and Minister Pienipctentiary from the said United 
States at the court of Madrid, to be the Plenipotentiaries for 
the concluding and signing the present definitive treaty; v.ho 
after having reciprocally ccmmunicrited their respective lull 
powers, have agreed upon at:d confirmed the following articles: 

ARTICLE I. 

His Britannic majesty acknowledges the said' United States, 
x\z. New-Kanipihire, Massachusseu Bay, P.hrde I'Jnnd and 
Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jerscy, 
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, 
South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, soverpign, and inde- 
pendent states; that he trejits with them as «uch; and for him. 
self, his htirs and successors, relinquishes ail claims .to the 
l^oveniment, propriety and territorial rights of the same, and 
every part thereof. 

ARTICLE 31. 

And that all disputes which might arise in future, on the 
subject of the boundaries of the said United States may be 
prevented, it is hereby agreed and declared, that the following 
are, and shall be ti:eir boundaries, viz. from the north-west 
&ngle of Nova Scotia, viz. that angle which is formed by a 
.14ne, drawn due north from the source of St. Croix river to 
the Highlands; along the said Highlands which divide those 
rivers, that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from 
those which fall into thg Atlantic ocean, to tl;e north-wester- 
most head of Connect!, at river, thence down along the middle 
of that river to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude ; from 
thence, by a line due west on said latitude, until it strikes the 
jiver Iroquois or Cataraqiiy; thence along tiae middle of said 
river into lake Ontario, through the' middle of said lake un- 
til it strikes the communication by water between that lake and 
lake Erie; thence along the middle of said communication in- 
to lake Eric, through the. middle of said lake until it arrives 
Sit th.e water communication between that lake and lake Hu- 
ron ; thence along the middle of said water communication 
into the lake Huron; thence ihrcngh the middle of said lake 
lt> the' water communication i>et\vten that lake and lake/ Su- 
perior; thence through lake Superior northward of the i^les 
Royal and Philipeaux, to the I.ongLske; thence through the 
middle of said ^ong Lake, and tli^ water communication be- 
tween it and the Lake of the Wood*, to the said Lake of the 
Woods; thence through the said lake to the most nortli-western 
point thereof, and from thence on a due west course to the 
jiver Missis.-ippi; thence by a line to be drawn aloug the mid- 
dle of the said river Mississippi, until' it sh^l intersect the 
northernmost part of the thirty-first degree of north latitude. 
South by a line to be drau-n due east frcin the determination 
of the line last nicntiontd, in the latitude cf ihiny*x;iic d«. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR; 2;t 

wrees north of the equator, to the middle of the river Apal:i- 
.ohicola or Catahouche; thence along the middle thereof to its- 
ju.action with the Flint river; thence straight to the head of Sti 
Mary's river; and thence down along the middle of St, Masv'a 
river to the Atlantic ocean. East by a line to be drawn along 
the middle of the river Sr, Crois, fru;n its mouth in the bay of 
Fundy to its source, and from its source directly nor:h to tha 
aforesaid Highlands which divide the rivers thati'ali into the 
Atlantic ocean, from those which fall into the river St. Law- 
rence : comprehending all islands within twenty lea!::u33 of any 
part of the shores of the United States, and lying betweea' 
lines to be drawn due east from the points where the aforesaid- 
boundaries between Nova Scotia on the one part, and East- 
Florida on the other, shall respectivL'ly touch the b^y of 
Fundy and the Atlantic ocean ; excepting such islands as now- 
are, or heretofore have been within the limits of the said pro- 
vince of Nova Scotia, 

ARTICLE III. 

It is agreed that the people of the United States shall con- 
tinue to enjoy unmolested the right to jake lish of every kind" 
on the Grand Bank, and on all the other banks of Nc-wfouacl- 
iand; also in the gulf of St. Lawrence, and at all other 
places in the sea where the inhabitants of both countries useds- 
at any time heretofore to inh ; and also that the iaiiabirants- of 
the United States shall have liberty to take fish of everv kind' 
on such part of the coast of Newfoundland as Britibh !i;!vif- 
nen use, but not to dry or cure the same on that ii-lana ; .aijd' 
also on the coasts, bays, and creeks, of all other of iiis Bri. 
tannic majesty's dominions in America ; and that the American 
fishermen shall have liberty to dry and cure fi^h in any of thtr 
unsettled bays, harbors and creeks of Nova Scotia^ Magdalen- 
islands, and Labrador, so long as the same shall remain 'un- 
seitled; but so soon as the same, or eitJicr of them, slrdl b<r 
settled, it slsall not be lawful for the said Usheraien to dry or 
cure fish at tuch- settlement, without a previous agreement for- 
that purpose v^rith the inhabitants, proprietors er possessors of 
the ground, 

ARTICLE IV. 

It is agreed that creditors on either side shall meet with no 
lawful in-ipcdimeat to the recovery of the full \^al«e in stcilin='" 
money, of all bona fide debts heretofore contracted. ** 

ARTICLE V. 

It is sgreed that the congress shall earnestly recommend fr 
to the legislatures of the respective state:; to provide for the' 
restitution of all es-ates, rights and proptrtiis, v/hich liave 
been confiscated, belonging to real British subjects, and also of- 
the estates, rights and properties of persons resident in die- 
tricts in the possession of his majesty's arms, and who have not 
borne aim; against the said United States. And that perr.ons of 
iiny other d€§cription shall ha\>e free liberty to go to- aay paxC* 



294. HISTORY OF THE WAR, 

of the thirteen United States, snd therein to remain twelve 
months, unmolested in their endeavors to obtain the restitution 
of such of their estates, rights and properties, as may have 
been confiscated; and that congress shall also earnestly re- 
commend to the several states, a re-consideration and revision 
of all acts or laws re.'i^ardr.ig the premises, so as to render the 
said laws or acts perfectly consistent, not only Vvith justice and 
equity, but with that spirit of conciliation, which, on the re- 
turn of the blessings of peace, should universally prevail. 
And that congress shall also earnestly recommend to the se- 
Teral states, that the estates, rights and prcperiies of such last 
mentioned persons, shall be restored to them, they refunding 
to any persons who may be now in possession, the bona fide 
price (where any has been given) which such persons jnay 
have paid on purchasing any of the said lands, rights or pro- 
perties, since the confiscaiion. "And it is agreed, that all per- 
sons who have any interest in confiscated L-inds, either bv debt, 
marriage settlements, or otherwise, shall meet with no lawful 
impediment iu the prosecution of their just rights. 

ARTICLE VI. 

That there shall be no future confiscations made, nor any 
prosecutions commenced against any person or persons for, 
or by reawn of the part which he or they m.ay have taken in 
the present war ; and that no person shall, on that account, 
suffer any future loss or damage, either in his person, liberty, 
or property; and that those who may be in confinement on 
such charges, at the time of the ratification of tiie treaty in 
America, shall be immediately set at liberty, and the prosecu- 
tions so commenced be discontinued. 

, ARTICLE v:i. 

There shall be a firm and perpetual peace between his Bri- 
tannic m.^iestv and the said States, and between the subjects of 
the one and the citizens of the other, wherefore all hostilities, 
both by sea and land, shall from henceforth cease ; ail pri.^ouers 
on both sides shall be set- at liberty, and his Britannic majesty 
shall, with all convenient speed, and without causing destruc- 
tion, or carrying away any negroes, or ether property of the 
Americans iniiabilai.is. withdraw ail his armies*, garrisons and 
i^eets from the said United States, and from every post, place 
and harbor wlihin the same, leaving in all fortificatious the 
AiJ'ierican artillery that may be thereip ; and j^haii also order 
and cause sil archives, records, deeds a.id papers, belonging 
to any of the said states, or their citizens, which in the course 
of the war may have fallen into the liands of his oflicers, to 
be forthwith restored and delivered to tlic proptr states aud 
persons to whom they belong. 

ARTICLE Vlll. 

The navigation of the river Mississippi, from its source 
to the ocean, ihail for ever remain free and open to the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 295 

suh}ects of Great 'Britain, aud the citizens of the United 
States. 

ARTICLE IX. 

In case It should so happen, that any place or territory be- 
lonirine-4o Great Britain or to the United States, should have 
been conquered by the arms of either from the other, before 
the arrival of the said provisional articles in America, it is 
agreed, that the same shall be restored without ditSculty, and 
without requiring auy compensation, 

ARTICLE X. ^ 

The solemn ra-ificaticn of the present treatv, expedited in 
good^and due form, shall be exchanged bet^veen the con- 
tracting parties, in the s-pace of six months, or sooner, if pos- 
sible, to be computed from the day of the $iguature of the 
present treaty. l:i witness whereof, we, the undersigned, 
their n-.iuisters plenipotentiary, have, in their name, and in 
virtue of our full powers, signed with our hands the present 
defiaitive treaty, and xaused the seals of our arms to be aflixed 
thtreto. 
Done at Paris, this third day of September, in the year of 
our Lord ©ue thousand seven liundred and eighty-three. 

D. HARTLEY, (l. s.) 

JOHN ADAMS, (l. s.'i 
B. FRANKLIN, (l. s.) 

JOHN JAY, (I. s.) 

Having given in page 36 the list of the A- 
jnerican navy as it stood at the commeucenient of 
the war, it may be con- ", lered interesting to 
know ho'vv the Lilliputian navy v/ithstood an 
enemy wiiich v/iis to have " lucwn it out of the 
watef.^' 'ihe following is the naval list of ship- 
ping, in Jane, 1815. Those vessels wiiose.names 
are marked (^') are siici> as remain of tl>e naval 
force before the v^^ar. Those marked '($) are 
building. Those marked in Italic, are such as 
were captured from the British, during the war. 
The rest have been built or purchased during , 
the war. Those that are blank have no arma- 
ment at present. 

Rate. Names of Vessels. CtrnmavJers, Sfaikns Is'c. 



74 Ship Independeace Com. Baiubridge Boston 

74 Washington Chauncey Portsmouth, N.H, 



2S^ 



HISTORY OF THE WAI?. 



J^ate. 


Names of Vessels, 


Commanders, 


StatioftSf Iffe, 


74 


Franklin§ 


Smith 


Philadelphia 


74 


New Orlean8§ 




Sacket's Hirbor 


74 


Chippe\va§ 




Do. do. 


44 


Guerriere 


Com. S. Decatur 


At sea 


44 


Ja-va 


OH. Perry 


Ealtiniore. 


44 


United States* 


J. Shaw 


Boston 


44 


Constitutioa* 


C. Stewart 


At Boston 


44 


P]att3burg§ 




Sacket's Harbor 


44 


Superior 




Do. do. 


56 


Constellatiou* 


C. Gordon^ 


At sea 


5G 


Congress* 


C. Morris 


At Boston 


S6 


Macsdonian 


J. Jones 


At sea 


32 


Moh?.wk 




Sacket's Harbor 


52 


Covjiance 




White Hal!, N. YJ 


28 


Cijane 


-^ 


N. York 


£4 


Saratoga 




White Hall, N. Y.' 


24 


John Adams* 


S. Angus 


New- York 


24 


General Pike 


W. W. Crane , 


Sacket's Harbor 


20 


Madison 


E. frenchard 


Do. do. 


20 


AUrt 


S. M. Cooper 


Washington, D. C. 


l^ 


Hc>rnet* 


J. Biddie 


Cruizing 


2a 


Wasp 


J. Biakeley 


Do. 


18 


Peacock 


li Warrington 


Do. 


IS 


Ontario 


J. D. El;iot 


At sea 


18 


Erie 


C. G. Ridgely 


New York 


IS 


Louisiana* 


C C. B. Thojnpson New Orleans . 


18 Bi 


ig Jefferson 




Sacket's Harbor . 


18 


Jones 


M. T. Woolsey 


Do. do. 


18 - 


Ep^rvicr 


J. Downs 


At sea 


18 


Niagara 




Erie, Penn. 


18 


Lawrence 




Do. do. 


18. 


'petro'it 




•juso. do. 


18 


Eagle 




WhueHall, N. Yi 


13 


Sylpli 




Socket's Harbor 


16 


Cliippewa 


' 




IC 


i2^i;esn CharkiU 




Erie, Penn. 


16 


Saranac 


- 




16 


lAnnet 




White Hall, N. Y. 


\G 


Boxer 






1(5 


Troup 




Savannah 


14 


Oneida 


T. Brown 


Sacket's Harbor 


14 


Entcrprize* 


L Kearney 


Boston 


12 


Fl an) beau 


J. B. Nicholson 


At sea 


12 


Spark 


T. Gamble 


Do. 


12 


Fire Fy 


G. W. Rodgers 


Do. 


^9 


Prometheus 


J. J. Nicholson 


Arrived at Nor folk 




Etna ^bomb) 


L. Aleiis 


New Ocieaus 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. ^n 

lR.ale, I^ames of Vessels, Ccmmanderst Stations-^ l^'r. 



2 CaUdoniii 

5 Ghent 

Hunter 
Schr, Nonsuch 

I'iconileroga 
Spitfire 
I'orch 
Lady Prevosi 
Tom Bowline 
Alligator 
Roanoke 
Hornet 
Lynx 
Firebrand 
Surprize 
Despatch 
Asp 
Helen 
Porcupine 
Gov. Tomkins 
Conquest 
Ranger 

Lady of the Lake 
Amelia 
Ontario 
Fair Americaa. 
Pert 
Asp 
Raven, 
Jl Sloop Ckuh 



14 
17 
II 
10 
10 

9. 
7 

5 

5 

7 

7 

S 

3 

4 

5 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 



E. Haddaway 

A. J. Dallas 
W. Chauncey 



B. D. Conkley 
F. Forrest 
T. Dukehart 



"W. Atkinson 



11 
7 
6 
5 
S 



Finch 

Preble 

Montgomery 

Buffalo 

Camel 

Tickler 

President 
Ketch Spitfire 

Vesuvius* 

Vengea»ce 
2 Galley Alien 
2 Burrows 

Borer 
2 Nettle 

2 Viper 

2 Centipede 

i Ludlow 



Erie, Penn« 
Do. do. 
Do. do. 
Chaiieston, S. C, 
White KalljN.y. 
At sffa 

Do, 
Erie. Penn, 
At sea 
New York 
Wilmington, N.C. 
Washington, D^G. 
Do. do. 

New Orleans 

Do. 
Norfolk 
Baltimore 
New Castle, DeL 
Erie, Penn. 
Sacket^ Harbor 
Do. do. 
Baltimore 
Sacket's Harbor 
Erie, Penn. 
Sacket's Harbor 
Do. do. 

Do. do. 

Do. do. 

Do. do. 

White Hail, N.Y, 
Do. do. 

Do. do. 

Do. do. 

Off Reedy Island 
Do. do. 

New Orleans 
Wiiite Hail, N. Y. 
Norfoik 
New York 

Do. 
White Hall, N.Y' 
Do. do. 

Do. d.Q, 

"Qo. do. 

Do. do. 

Do. do. 

Do» do. ' 



203 



HISTORY OF TME WAR. 



Rat^. Nj?nes of P'asels 



Cnmn3a7iJi:ys. 



Siaiiofis, l^c. 



1 
1 
1 



Wilmer 

Alwyn 

Bail.rd 



Do. 
Do« 
Do, 



do. 
do. 
do. 



Barges from No. 1 tcri5, inclusive, on Lake Ontario, mouming 
each guns, and now at Sackei's Harl)or. 

The old giia-boats have l>sen chiefly sold. 

It woukl be a curious question in political arith- 
metics to determine, what iiLirnber of American 
ships and their rates, would be sufficient to de- 
blroy tlie British navy? taking the na,val events 
of the late war as a scale bv which to calculate; 
and how long it would take to provide the neces- 
sary number of vessels, takinof the increase of the. 
navy, durin^c the war, as a ratio, 

LIST OF AMERICAN PRIZES. 

WitJi the name of the Privateers, !<c. and the number captured 
by eacli vessel, during the War, 

(From Niles*s Reguter.) 

^Champlain Privateer I 

0"» Charles Stewart of Boston 1 

j[^ Chasseur of Baltimore 2G 

"^iChauncey's squadron on lake 

"^j Ontario 

21|Chesapeake U.S. frigate 

'^Cornet 

^jCongress U. S. frigate 

'^iConstitution, U. S. frigate 

^jDart 

^Dash of Portland 
2,Dav;d Porter of N. York 
^JDavid Porter of Boston 
nDecatur of Newburyport 
^jDecatur of Cliarlesroa 
^■Delisle of Baltimore 
^JDiamond of Baltimore 
^iDiomede of Salem 

(Divided we fall 
^JDolphin of Salem 

sDromo of Boston 



Adams, U. S. shrp 

Aiert, boat, Of Burlingt 

lake Champlain 
Alexander of Salem 
Alfred of Salera 
Amelia of Baltimore 
America of Salen» 
Anacoiida of New- York 
Argus of Boston 
Argus, U. S. brig 
Argo of Baltimore 
Atlas of Philadelphia 
Avon of Boston 
Baltimore of Baltimore 
Bellona of Philadelphia 
Black Joke 
Boats from BufFaloe 
Brutus of Boston 
Buckskin of Salem 
Eunkerhill of New- York 
Cadet of Salem 
Caroline of Baltimore 
C^ihariue of Boston 



22- 
4 

29 
4 

12 
9 
9 
8 
* 

15 
2 
2 
1 

11 

22 
1 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 



239 



] 
1 
1 

4 
2 

2S 
9 
] 

11 
1 
1 



Eliza 

EaterprJze, U. S, brig 
£sse^, U- S. frigate 
Essex Junior 
Expedition of Baltimore 
Fair Trader of Salem 
Fairy of Baltimore 
Fame of Salem 
Fame of Thomastown 
Flirt of New- York 
Fly 

Fox of Salem 
Fox of Baltimore 
Fox of Portsmouth 
Franklin of New- York 
Frolic, U. S. sloop of war 
Frolic o{ balem 
Full-blo-^ded Yankee 
Galloway of New- York 
General Armstrong of New- 
York 
General Stark of Salem 

General Putnam of Salcra 
•Globe uf Baltimore' 

Gossamer 

Governor Tompkins of New- 
York 21 

Governor M'Kean of Phila. 
delpliia, 

Governor Plumer of Ports- 
mouth 

Grampus of Baltimore 
•Grand Turk of Salem 

Growler 

Gun boats 

Harpy of Baltimore 

Harrison of Baltimore 

Miwkof Washington, N.C. 

Hazard 

Henry Guilder of N. York 

Herald of New- York 

Hero of New-York 

Hero of Newbern 

Hero of Stouin^ton 

High Flyer of Baltimore 

Hoikar of New-Yark 

Holkar, boat 

Hope 

Horner, U. S. sloop of waj 



1 Hunter 

8 Ida of Baltimore ,<k; 
13 Industry of Tynn 

s'industry of Mar'olehead 

4,Iadustrv of hrtlem 

7 Ino of Boston 

Sinvincible of New- York 
10 [nviiiciblt' of Salem 



1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

2 

5 
3 
6 
1 
1 
6 
S 
5 

12 
1 

16 
2 
1 
8 
1 

12 
2 
1 
1 

18 
7 
1 



Jack's Favorite 

Jacob Jones of Boston 

J'Ames Munroe 

fetFersnn 

Joel Biitlow 

Jonquil of New-York 

Jolin of Salem 

John and George . 

Kemp of Ba.ltimore 

Lake Superior on 

i^ake Huron on 

Lane Chan^plain on 
ISlLark 

^ Lawrence of Baltimore 
1 Leach of Salem 
9 Leader 
1 Leander of Providence 

Leo of Baltimore 

Liberty of Baltimore 

Little Gv-urge of Boston 
2jLovel,y viordelia ofCharleston 20 

JLovely Lass 1 

3 Lyon of Muiblehead 4 
7jiVlacedonian of Baltimore 1 

18, Macedonian of Portsmouth 4 
4-iVIadison of S;ilem 9 

20 Marengo of iN^ew-York 7 

13 Mammoth of Baltimore 23 

8'M-Donongh of Rhode-Island 1 
VMars of Norfolk 3 

LMars of N. York 4 

IjMars of New- London 2 

4 Mary Ann or Charleston B 
4|Matilda 1 
2Midas of Baltimore 10 
IjMobile bay, on 2 
7!Morgiana (Vf New. York 5 
6Montgomery of Salem 5 
IjNancy 1 
1 Ned of Baltimore 1 
^iNonpareii 1 



300 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 



Nonsuch of Baltimore 

Nensuch U. S. schooner 

Orders in Council 

Orlando of Gloucester 

Patriot of New* York 

Paul Jones of N. York 

Perry of Baltimore 

Perry's squadron 

Peacock. U.S. sloop of w. 

Patapsco of Bnltimore 

Pike of Baltimore 

PiUt 

Polly of Salem , 

Portsmouth of Portsmouth 

Poor Sailor 

Rambler of Bristol 

Rambler of Boston 

Rahfjer of Boston 

P.apid of Boston 

Rapid of Charleston 

Rattlesnake U. S. brijr 

RatJcsnake Philadelphia 

Regulator 

P^eindeer of Boston 

Resolution of Boston 

Retaliation 

Revenge of Baltimore 

Roger of Norfolk 

Roger of Baltimore 

Rolla 

Rogers' squadron (com.) 

Rotiamond 

Rojsyof Baltimore 
Rover of New-York 
Row-boat priTateer 
Sabine of Baltimore 
Sandy creek, at, by riflemen 
Sarah Ann of Baltimore 
Saratoga of New-York 
Scourge of New-York 
Saucy Jack of Charleston 
Shark of New-Yoric 
Sme-qua-non of Boston 
Scorpion of Salem 
Siro of Baltimore 
Snapdrajron ot Newbern 
Saowbird 



4Sparrow of Baltimore 2 

1 Spark of New- York 3 

5Spy 1 

"SiSurprise of Baltimore 36 

9'Surpri«e and Swiftsure boats 3 

lO'Spencer of Philadtlphia 

24'Syreu, U S. bri^ 
6,Syren of Baltimore 

19'St. Lawrence, on the 



S 

15 

S 

7 
9 
1 

2 
Z 



I 
9 
4 
I 
15 
5 



Peazer of New- York 
Trrrible, boat 
Thomas of Portsmouth 5 

Thorn of Marblehead I 

Thresher 2 

Timothy Pickering 1 

Tom of Baltimore 12 

True blooded Yankee 25 

Two brothers of N. Orleans 1 
Two friends of Massachussctts 1 



Tuckaho ^f Baltimore 

United States U. S. frigate 

Ultor of Baltimore 

United we stand 
4 Upton, a prize ship 

Viper of N. York 

Viper of Salem 

VVjtrior of New- York 

Wasp U. S. ship of war 

Wasp of Baltimore 

Wasp of Philadelpliia 

Wasp of Salem 

V/athington of Portsmouth 

Waterwitch of Bristol 

jWhig of Baltimore 
2;V.'iiey Renard of Boston 



4 
i 



1 

1 

19 

4 

3 

5 

19 

' S 

14 



2 
1 

17 
1 
1 
3 
1 

IG 
2 
2 

1 
1 
1 

14 

4 

1 

36 

1 

5 
6 

2 
1 'Young Teazer of N. York 6 
l',YouBg Wasp of Pha-dclphia 9 
5 Sundry vessel=, names not 
ij ascertained 133 

23' — — 

2' . Total, 1J51 



]\ 



5jWhale boat 

5|Yankee of Bristol 

1 i Yankee [smack] 
15'Yorkiown of New-York 
28; York of Baltimore 
27i Young Eairle of New- York 







I I 






JIK1&. 



